Anshul Kamboj May Be Dropped from Final Test, Says Former Coach Sanjay Bangar

As Team India prepares for the crucial fifth and final Test against England at Kennington Oval starting July 31, a strong statement from former batting coach Sanjay Bangar has cast doubt over the immediate future of young pacer Anshul Kamboj. The bowler, who made his international debut during the fourth Test in Manchester, struggled to make an impact and managed to claim just one wicket.

Bangar, speaking on Match Center Live, stated, “One thing is for sure, the wicketkeeper-batsman will have to be replaced due to Rishabh Pant’s injury. I don't think Anshul Kamboj will get another opportunity—especially now that the key fast bowlers are fit and Arshdeep Singh is also available as a backup option.” His remarks have stirred conversation about India’s bowling combination ahead of the decider.

Further analyzing the team composition, Bangar added that Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, both of whom had strong performances in the Manchester Test, are likely to retain their spots. He also hinted at a possible return for Akash Deep and raised questions about the role of the eighth player—will it be Kuldeep Yadav or Shardul Thakur? That decision, he said, rests with head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill.

The stakes are high for India. With England leading the five-match series 2-1, a win in the final Test is crucial for India to level the series. For England, a victory will seal the series win on home soil. The pressure is mounting, and team selection will play a critical role in determining the outcome of this final showdown.