Duleep Trophy 2026: Anshul Kamboj Smashes 60 to Rescue North Zone

Anshul Kamboj turned into North Zone’s unlikely batting hero in the Duleep Trophy 2026, producing a stunning 60-run counter-attacking knock from No.9 against West Zone. The Haryana pacer arrived at the crease with his team in serious trouble at 161/7 but transformed the innings with an aggressive display.

Kamboj smashed 60 runs from just 52 deliveries, hitting five fours and five sixes. His attacking innings made him North Zone’s highest scorer and helped the side recover from a difficult position to post a competitive total of 251.

The 25-year-old’s performance was particularly impressive because he was batting at No.9 and had already seen most of North Zone’s recognised batters dismissed. Instead of simply trying to survive, Kamboj took the attack to West Zone’s bowlers and changed the momentum of the innings.

Anshul Kamboj Rescues North Zone From 161/7

North Zone appeared to be heading toward a modest first-innings total after losing seven wickets for 161 runs. With their main batters back in the pavilion, the lower order had the responsibility of adding as many runs as possible.

Kamboj responded by adopting an aggressive approach from the moment he settled at the crease. His counter-attack prevented West Zone from completely dominating the innings and gave North Zone valuable runs at a crucial stage.

He first added 48 runs with Abid Mushtaq, who contributed 19. Kamboj then shared another 11-run partnership with Arshdeep Singh before joining Sunil Kumar for the final-wicket stand.

The partnership with Sunil Kumar produced 31 important runs and helped North Zone cross the 250-run mark.

Kamboj’s 60-Run Knock in Numbers

Kamboj scored 50 of his 60 runs through boundaries, highlighting just how aggressive his innings was. His five fours and five sixes accounted for the majority of his total and allowed North Zone to score quickly despite being deep in trouble.

Kamboj Takes on Tushar Deshpande and Tanush Kotian

The most impressive part of Kamboj’s innings came when he began taking on West Zone’s leading bowlers, Tushar Deshpande and Tanush Kotian.

The duo had already caused significant damage to North Zone’s batting lineup, sharing eight wickets between them. However, Kamboj refused to allow them to control the final stages of the innings.

He attacked their bowling with a combination of boundaries and sixes, including four sixes and a boundary during the period in which he moved rapidly toward his half-century.

His approach completely changed the momentum of the contest. What initially looked like a straightforward bowling advantage for West Zone suddenly became a more competitive total for North Zone.

Only the Second First-Class Fifty of Kamboj’s Career

The innings was also personally significant for Kamboj because it was only the second half-century of his first-class career.

Before this knock, his best score had been an unbeaten 51. His latest 60 therefore represented a new personal best in first-class Cricket and demonstrated an important improvement with the bat.

For a player primarily known as a pace bowler, producing a match-changing innings from No.9 adds another dimension to his skill set.

Ayush Badoni Also Makes a Valuable Contribution

Kamboj was not the only North Zone batter to make an impact. Ayush Badoni also produced a useful contribution, scoring 51 runs.

However, once North Zone slipped to 161/7, Kamboj became the central figure in the recovery. His ability to score rapidly from the lower order ensured that the team did not collapse after losing its recognised batters.

The contrast between Badoni’s contribution and Kamboj’s late assault highlights the different ways North Zone’s batters contributed to the eventual total of 251.

North Zone’s Recovery From 161/7

North Zone’s final total was therefore built largely through a series of lower-order partnerships. Kamboj played a role in all three and finished the innings as the team’s top scorer.

West Zone Faces Early Trouble in Reply

West Zone’s response did not begin smoothly. Openers Prithvi Shaw and Harvik Desai were dismissed cheaply, leaving their team needing stability after North Zone’s lower-order recovery.

Shaw scored 22 from 21 deliveries, while Desai managed only three runs from 17 balls. Their early dismissals gave North Zone an opportunity to build pressure.

At the end of the day’s play, Musheer Khan remained unbeaten on 3 from 17 balls, while Shivalik Sharma was not out on 0 after facing one delivery.

Why Kamboj’s Knock Matters

Kamboj’s innings is significant beyond the immediate Duleep Trophy scorecard. Lower-order batting has become increasingly valuable in modern cricket, particularly when teams can turn difficult situations into competitive totals through aggressive contributions from players who are primarily selected for their bowling.

His 60 from 52 balls showed that he was prepared to take calculated risks rather than simply defend. Against a strong West Zone bowling attack, that approach proved highly effective.

The innings could also strengthen Kamboj’s reputation as a genuine all-round contributor. While his primary responsibility remains bowling, performances like this provide selectors and teams with additional flexibility.

What Anshul Kamboj’s Performance Says About His Game

Kamboj’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball could become increasingly valuable as his career develops. A lower-order player capable of scoring quickly can change the outcome of a match even when the top order has struggled.

His latest performance also demonstrates composure under pressure. Walking in at 161/7 against a bowling attack that had already taken regular wickets required confidence and discipline.

Instead of allowing the situation to dictate his approach, Kamboj attacked and forced West Zone’s bowlers to adjust.

Conclusion

Anshul Kamboj produced one of the standout lower-order performances of the Duleep Trophy 2026, smashing 60 from 52 balls to rescue North Zone from 161/7 against West Zone.

His five fours and five sixes powered an aggressive innings in which 50 of his 60 runs came through boundaries. He also contributed to three crucial partnerships, including a 31-run last-wicket stand with Sunil Kumar.

With Ayush Badoni also scoring 51, North Zone eventually reached 251. West Zone then suffered an early setback as Prithvi Shaw and Harvik Desai were dismissed cheaply.

For Kamboj, however, the biggest achievement was personal. His 60 became only the second first-class fifty of his career and surpassed his previous best of 51*, giving the pacer a memorable batting performance on the Duleep Trophy stage.