Kamboj opens up on bowling alongside Bumrah, Siraj after collecting maiden wicket on debut: 'You learn a lot from them'

It turned out to be a mixed day for young Anshul Kamboj at Manchester’s Old Trafford on Wednesday . A day after he received his maiden Test cap from former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta, replacing the injured Akash Deep in the Indian XI, the Haryana and Chennai Super Kings pacer was caught-behind for a three-ball duck off Ben Stokes’ bowling.

And when it came to performing in his primary role, Kamboj was off to an expensive start after sharing the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah ahead of Mohammed Siraj, conceding three boundaries in his very first over of the day and eventually being taken off after going at nearly six-an-over in his first five overs.

Kamboj makes his mark at Old Trafford

The 24-year-old, however, ensured the day did not end entirely on a gloomy note as he got set English opener Ben Duckett caught-behind on 94 to collect his maiden international wicket. Kamboj struck shortly after left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja broke the marathon opening partnership by having Zak Crawley (84) caught-behind right after drinks.

Reflecting on the experience of bowling alongside Bumrah and Siraj, Kamboj said it was a learning experience for him at Old Trafford on Thursday when it was India’s turn to bowl.

“You learn a lot when Jassi bhaiya, Siraj bhaiya are bowling alongside you. What they usually do and how they’re going about business right now, how they would respond to the same situation, and what I need to do. We keep discussing from time to time and have to adapt accordingly,” Kamboj told Dasgupta in a chat on Sony Sports after stumps.

Kamboj and Jadeja’s strikes brought India back into the contest after Duckett and Crawley’s dominant opening partnership , giving the visitors an opening with two relatively new batters in Ollie Pope and Joe Root at the crease.

Pope and Root, however, remained unbeaten on 20 and 11 respectively, forging a steady third-wicket partnership worth 28 to steer England to 225/2 at the close of play, trailing India by 133 runs.

England had earlier bowled India out for 358, with skipper Ben Stokes collecting 5/72 after opting to field under overcast skies in Manchester on Wednesday. B Sai Sudharsan, replacing Karun Nair in the XI, top-scored for Shubman Gill and Co with a knock of 61 while Yashasvi Jaiswal (58) and Rishabh Pant (54) also chipped in with half-centuries.

Pant stood out particularly for his heroic decision to walk out to bat and complete his half-century despite suffering a fracture on his toe while batting on 37 on the previous day.