Anshul Kamboj Makes Unwanted IPL History in CSK vs LSG Clash
A Night to Forget for Anshul Kamboj
In the high-stakes environment of the Indian Premier League, every bowler knows that one bad night can haunt the statistics. For 25-year-old Chennai Super Kings pacer Anshul Kamboj, the recent clash against the Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium turned into an statistical nightmare. During the match, Kamboj became the first bowler in the history of the tournament to be hit for four sixes in a single over on two separate occasions in the same game.
The Assault Begins: Mitchell Marsh Takes Charge
The misery began in the fifth over of the chase, as LSG sought to reach a target of 188. Mitchell Marsh, the Australian powerhouse, decided to take the attack to the Haryana-based bowler immediately. Marsh launched a blistering assault, hitting four consecutive sixes to put the pressure squarely on Kamboj. While a dot ball followed, the final delivery of the over was dispatched for a boundary, resulting in 28 runs conceded in that single sequence. It was a demoralizing start that set the tone for the remainder of the evening.
Nicholas Pooran Seals the Victory
If the fifth over was difficult, the latter stages of the game proved even more painful. Following the second time-out, the Super Giants required 24 runs from four overs, a relatively straightforward task given the momentum they had established. Nicholas Pooran, known for his explosive power-hitting, chose to target Kamboj specifically. In a decisive display of dominance, the West Indian star hit the pacer for four massive sixes to seal the game for his team. By the time the dust settled, Kamboj had conceded 63 runs from his 2.4 overs without managing to claim a single wicket.
Expert Analysis: Defending the Bowler
Despite the unfavorable statistics, there has been significant conversation surrounding the support Kamboj received during the match. Ambati Rayudu, the seasoned veteran who has experienced IPL glory with both Mumbai and Chennai, spoke out in defense of the young pacer. In an appearance on ESPN Cricinfo’s Time-out show, Rayudu noted that Kamboj had been bowling well throughout the season and that every player is susceptible to an off-day.
Rayudu explained, “All those balls that Anshul bowled to Marsh were actually decent deliveries. Aside from the final ball, the outcome was largely down to incredible batting from Mitch Marsh. It is an unfortunate reality of the game that he was bowling to two players who are currently in excellent form.” Furthermore, the former batter suggested that the Chennai squad could have offered more support, noting: “Maybe a few Chennai players could have gone up to the bowler and offered him some encouragement and asked him to take his time before running into bowl.”
Contextualizing the Record
While Kamboj’s figures of 0/63 from 2.4 overs are undeniably difficult to swallow, they sit at 22nd on the list of the worst bowling figures in IPL history. The record for the most runs conceded remains with English pacer Jofra Archer, who allowed 76 runs in four wicketless overs during a 2025 encounter between RR and SRH. He is followed closely by veteran Indian seamer Mohammed Shami, who conceded 75 runs in a single game. The list of bowlers who have struggled on flat decks or against in-form opposition also includes names like William O’Rourke, Mohit Sharma, and Basil Thampi. As the tournament progresses, Kamboj will undoubtedly look to bounce back and prove that this singular performance does not define his professional capabilities.
