MI taught me to maintain positive attitude and how to get better each day: Anshul Kamboj

Anshul Kamboj in MI jersey ( Source
: IPL )

Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians have played a big part in shaping Haryana pace sensation Anshul Kamboj’s bowling skills and his entire approach towards the game during his brief stint with the franchise in the previous edition.

The 23-year-old from Karnal recently registered his name in history books by becoming only the third bowler to claim all ten wickets in a Ranji Trophy innings. His figures of 10 wickets in 30.1 overs against Kerala at the Chaudhary Bansi Lal Stadium in Lahli put him in the elite company of Bengal’s Premangsu Chatterjee and Rajasthan’s Pradeep Sunderam.

Kamboj began his cricketing journey by playing in open fields and went on to share the dressing room with cricket legends. His association with MI has left a deep impact on his cricketing philosophy. 

“There were many legends in the setup, and there was help from all around. Talking to them and working with them was a great learning experience. I’ve learned how to prepare for challenges, bowl in different situations, and most importantly, how to keep improving. They taught me the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and how to get better each day,” Kamboj said in an interview with Cricbuzz.

Also Read: Anshul Kamboj becomes third bowler in Ranji history to take 10 wickets in an innings

Rohit Sharma was of great help: Anshul Kamboj

Meanwhile, the most valuable lesson from his MI stint was learning to maintain a positive attitude. The opportunity to bowl alongside ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah provided Kamboj with invaluable insights into the mindset of a star fast bowler. 

“I tried to understand his mindset in different situations. I observed how he handled pressure and how he reacted to various challenges. I paid particular attention to the way he composed himself and made decisions under pressure. I tried to imbibe those qualities,” he added.

The all-rounder also spoke about the presence of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma in the MI dressing room and how that gave him another perspective about the game.

“He was of great help. Playing alongside the India captain was no small thing, and it was a fantastic experience. Talking to him was really insightful, especially since it was my first IPL,” Kamboj concluded.

His standout performance came in the Duleep Trophy 2024 for India C against India B where he ended with figures of 8 for 69, dismissing players like Sarfaraz Khan, Rinku Singh, and N Jagadeesan. His success continued in the T20 Asia Cup for India Emerging, where he finished with match-winning figures of 3 for 33 against Pakistan Shaheens.

While Kamboj secured his maiden IPL contract with Mumbai Indians for a base price of INR 20 lakh in the IPL 2024 auction, playing three games and picking up two wickets, his recent performances have made him as one of the uncapped Indian players to watch at the upcoming IPL 2025 auction on November 24 and 25.