Anshul Kamboj Makes Unwanted IPL History: A Record-Breaking Night to Forget
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A Night of Historic Struggles in IPL 2026
The IPL 2026 season has witnessed numerous high-scoring thrillers, but the encounter between the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Ekana Stadium will remain etched in memory for a statistical anomaly that no bowler ever hopes to achieve. Anshul Kamboj, the 25-year-old pacer, found himself in the middle of a brutal batting display that saw him become the first bowler in the tournament’s history to be struck for four sixes in an over on two different occasions during the same match.
The Assault Begins: Mitchell Marsh Takes Charge
The trouble started early for the Haryana-based bowler. During the fifth over of the chase, with 188 runs required for victory, LSG’s Mitchell Marsh decided to change the complexion of the game. Marsh unleashed a flurry of power, hitting four consecutive sixes off Kamboj. While Kamboj managed a dot ball afterward, the damage had already been done, with 28 runs coming from that specific over. The final delivery was dispatched for a boundary, signaling that it was going to be a long, grueling night for the CSK attack.
Pooran Seals the Deal
If the fifth over was difficult, the latter stages of the match proved even more disastrous. As the Lucknow Super Giants closed in on the target, requiring 24 runs from four overs, the game was effectively decided by the West Indian powerhouse Nicholas Pooran. Pooran targeted Kamboj once more, hitting four sixes in a single over to seal a seven-wicket victory for the Super Giants. By the conclusion of his spell, Kamboj’s figures stood at a staggering 0/63 from just 2.4 overs, a statistic that reflects the relentless pressure he faced throughout the evening.
Ambati Rayudu Defends the Bowler
In the wake of the match, the performance drew significant attention from cricket pundits. Ambati Rayudu, a veteran who has tasted success with both Mumbai and Chennai, offered a balanced perspective on the situation. Speaking on ESPN Cricinfo’s Time-out show, Rayudu emphasized the nature of the sport and the quality of the opposition. “He (Kamboj) has been bowling well this season, and a bad day is just around the corner,” Rayudu noted. He further highlighted that the deliveries bowled to Mitchell Marsh were not necessarily poor balls but rather a result of exceptional batting from an opponent currently in stellar form. Rayudu also suggested that team support is vital in such high-pressure moments, noting that fellow players could have offered more encouragement to help the bowler reset.
Contextualizing the Record: IPL’s Most Expensive Spells
While Kamboj’s night was undoubtedly difficult, it provides an opportunity to look at where this performance sits in the wider context of IPL history. His figures of 0/63 are currently ranked the 22nd-worst in the history of the league. The list of most expensive spells features some of the game’s greatest names, highlighting the volatility of T20 cricket.
- Jofra Archer (RR vs SRH, 2025): Currently holds the record for the most runs conceded in an IPL match, having gone for 76 runs in his four overs.
- Mohammed Shami (SRH vs PBKS, 2025): Stands second with figures of 0/75.
- William O’Rourke, Mohit Sharma, and Basil Thampi: Also feature prominently on this list of challenging spells.
Ultimately, cricket is a game defined by fine margins. For Anshul Kamboj, the match at Ekana Stadium serves as a harsh reminder of how quickly the momentum can shift in the IPL. However, as veterans like Ambati Rayudu point out, the ability to bounce back from such an experience is exactly what defines a professional athlete at the highest level of the sport.
