3 reasons why MI must buy back Anshul Kamboj in IPL 2025 Auction

Anshul Kamboj made his debut for Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2024 and played three matches during the season. Though he did not have much impact in those three games, he has made rapid strides in domestic cricket post-IPL 2024.

MI have retained Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, and Tilak Varma for IPL 2025 and have the option to retain one uncapped player with the RTM option in the upcoming IPL 2025 auction.

On that note, here is a look at three reasons why MI should buy back Anshul Kamboj in IPL 2025:

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#1 Has been in good bowling form

The 23-year-old pacer has been in good form with the ball. He has become only the third bowler to pick up 10 wickets in an innings in a Ranji Trophy encounter. He achieved this feat against Kerala at Rohtak on November 15, 2024.

This is not the first time that Kamboj has picked up wickets in a heap in domestic cricket. He bagged eight wickets in an innings against India B while playing for India C in the Duleep Trophy in September 2024.

Thus the pacer has been in red-hot form with the ball and MI could look to retain him with the RTM option.

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#2 Can clock 140 kmph and has a good temperament in death overs

Kamboj belongs to one rare breed of Indian bowlers who can regularly clock 140 kmph. He can bowl regularly at the said speed as evidenced in the past.

Apart from bowling at 140 kmph, Kamboj seems to have the temperament of bowling at the death. In the recently concluded 2024 ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, Kamboj was exceptional against Pakistan Shaheens and picked up three wickets in the match against the arch-rivals.

He defended 17 runs from the last over in the game against Pakistan and guided his team to a win. He seems to have a good head over his shoulder and thrives to perform under pressure.

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#3 Can fit into the MI team by using the RTM option

MI have a purse of only Rs. 45 crore going into the IPL 2025 auction. Having used up a major sum of money in the retention of five players, the franchise will have to play it smart going into the IPL 2025 auction.

While the other capped Indian bowlers who are in the auction pool are likely to demand a higher price during the auction, MI will have to be street-smart in picking up a team and will have to utilize uncapped players.

Kamboj is one such player who perfectly fits the bill. He has played for MI in the past and is well aware of the culture within the MI team. Further, he can be the perfect partner for Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball and also at the death. He can learn a lot bowling in tandem with Bumrah and the duo can be a formidable force for the franchise in the years to come.