'Main Gaanv Se Aata Tha': Anshul Kamboj Opens Up On His Early Struggles After Receiving Maiden India Call-Up; Video

Team India's newest pace sensation Anshul Kamboj has opened up on his struggles during his early playing days. Kamboj has revealed that he used to travel two hours every day while coming from his village to practice and that he wanted to give as much time to the sport as possible.

With injuries to Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep, India have been forced to strengthen their pace battery for the remaining two Tests against England as Kamboj received his maiden national call-up. In 24 first-class matches, the right-arm seamer has claimed 79 scalps at 22.88 alongside a couple of fifers. The 24-year-old could make his debut in the fourth Test in Manchester against England.

Speaking in a video uploaded by Star Sports, Kamboj said:

"Jab Cricket start ki toh travel kaafi hota tha. Main gaanv se aata tha toh. Almost 1 hr ka travel jaane ka hota tha, 1 hr ka travel aane ka hota tha. Toh koshish yehi rehti thi ki cricket ko jitna ho sake time doon." (When I started playing cricket, there was plenty of travelling. I used to come from my village. There was 1 hour travel while going and 1 hour whole coming. My attempt was to give cricket as much time as I could.)

"My father has played a massive role" - Anshul Kamboj

Kamboj added that such strong pillars of support means it gives more motivation to struggle, claiming:

"Mere father ne bahut bada role play kiya hai, unhone bahut support kiya hai, meri family ne bahut support kiya hai, Coach ne bhi bahut support kiya hai. Jab aisa support milta hai toh, limits push karna, mehnat karne mein bhi maza aata hai." (My father has played a massive role, he has supported me a lot, so have my family and coach. When you get such a support, it gives you motivation to do the hard yards.)