India vs New Zealand first ODI match concluded on Wednesday as the Men in Blue took a 0-1 lead in the five-match series after winning the first game by 5 wickets. The bowling attack dismantled the Kiwi batters, which helped the side win. Anshul Kamboj was one of the bowlers who performed well, and now former pacer Irfan Pathan has backed him for ODI World Cup probables.

Shubman Gill has had an inexperienced bowling attack, with only Arshdeep Singh having more experience playing ODIs than any other pacer in the line-up. However, the pace attack turned up big, and they showcased their talent in the swing and bouncy conditions at Eden Park in Auckland, bowling the New Zealand side out for 185 runs.

"He will be one of the bowlers for sure": Irfan Pathan on Anshul Kamboj

While speaking to Cricinfo, former T20 World Cup winner Irfan Pathan stated that Anshul Kamboj will be one of the bowlers who will be in the squad for the ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Pathan recalls Kamboj’s poor Test debut in England and states that he was not ready to play a Test match soon after travelling.

"He will be one of the bowlers for sure. What happened during the Test match, we have to understand. It is not easy to play a Test match after travelling. For any bowler to get adjusted to the climate, recovery and then go from there, it takes time. Anshul that time, needed more time to play Test cricket," he said (as quoted by TOI).

"Selectors would be forced to think about him as one of the WC probables": Irfan Pathan backs Anshul Kamboj to be in ODI World Cup squad

He backed the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer and believes that the pacer has the ability to bowl with the new ball and in death as well. Irfan reveals that Anshul Kamboj can bowl wide yorkers and has a bright future ahead if he continues to perform, as the selectors will have a headache considering him for World Cup probables.

"What I like about him that he can bowl with the new ball and has some good death bowling skill as seen with CSK. He can come round the wicket and bowl the wide yorkers. He bowled with the old ball in this match (against NZ in 1st ODI)."

"He has that package, with the old ball, new ball and can nibble the ball too. He will go up the ladder as far as future is concerned. You would not be surprised if he keeps going like this, selectors would be forced to think about him as one of the WC probables. He is definitely one of them," Irfan Pathan further added.

Anshul Kamboj's recent performance

Anshul bowled beautifully in the first ODI match as he was awarded the Player of the Match for his excellent spell of 2/22 in his 10 overs. The CSK pacer did not have the best debut in India after he came in as a replacement for Prasidh Krishna in the home series against the West Indies National Cricket Team.

He came back strong and etched his name in the elite list after conceding 22 runs, becoming the he joint-fewest by an Indian pacer while bowling his full 10-over quota in a men's ODI since Javagal Srinath's 13, also at Auckland. It was also the fewest runs conceded by a bowler in 10 overs in a men’s ODI since 2016.

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