Shastri backs Kamboj after LSG mauling: 'Learning from mistakes matters most'
Synopsis
Ravi Shastri's defence of Anshul Kamboj cuts to a deeper truth about IPL fast bowling: tactical adaptability in real time. Kamboj conceded 63 in 2.4 overs as Marsh plundered four sixes in one over — yet Shastri argues the lesson, not the punishment, is what defines a young pacer's growth. CSK's playoff hopes now hang by a thread at sixth with two games left.
Key Takeaways
Ravi Shastri defended Anshul Kamboj on Jio Hotstar after his costly spell against LSG in IPL 2025 .
Kamboj conceded 63 runs in 2.4 overs ; Mitchell Marsh hit him for four consecutive sixes in one over.
Shastri advised Kamboj to have switched to yorkers and off-stump bouncers at head height once Marsh began attacking short balls.
CSK posted 187/5 , with Kartik Sharma (71) and Shivam Dube (32*) the top contributors.
CSK are sixth on the points table with 12 points from 12 matches and must win their remaining two games to stay in playoff contention.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has thrown his weight behind Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Anshul Kamboj following a bruising outing against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, saying the 25-year-old will emerge stronger from the experience. Shastri made the remarks on Jio Hotstar after CSK's defeat, in which LSG chased down 188 in just 16.4 overs.
What Went Wrong for Kamboj
Kamboj endured one of the most punishing spells of the season, conceding 63 runs in just 2.4 overs. The damage was largely inflicted by Mitchell Marsh, who smashed him for four consecutive sixes in a single over during a blistering knock of 90 off 38 balls. The assault exposed a tactical gap — Kamboj continued bowling short-pitched deliveries even as Marsh feasted on them.
What Shastri Said Kamboj Should Have Done
Shastri was direct in his assessment, outlining a clear corrective blueprint for the young pacer. 'After getting hit for four sixes, what should Anshul Kamboj have done? In my opinion, he should have bowled more yorkers and aimed at the stumps. When you know Marsh is waiting for short balls, either bowl yorkers or bowl bouncers outside the off stump with protection behind. The bouncers should be closer to head height, not chest or waist height, because players like Marsh are very comfortable playing those deliveries,' Shastri said.
He was equally emphatic about the value of adversity. 'If he had not been hit for four sixes, he would not have learned from it. Everyone makes mistakes, but learning from them is the most important thing,' he added.
Positives CSK Can Draw From the Defeat
Despite the loss, Shastri urged CSK to acknowledge what went right. The side posted 187/5 on a surface he described as not easy for batting — a total built on Kartik Sharma's 71 and an unbeaten 32 from Shivam Dube, after early strikes from Akash Singh rattled the top order. Notably, key batters Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad did not contribute significantly, leaving room for optimism if both return to form.
'I would still take positives from this game for CSK. This was not an easy wicket, and they still scored 187. Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad did not score many runs, so if they come back into form, it will help the team a lot. The bowlers will also learn what lengths to bowl on pitches like this. In Chennai, they know the conditions much better and will be stronger at home,' Shastri said.
CSK's Playoff Equation
The defeat leaves CSK in sixth place on the IPL 2025 points table with 12 points from 12 matches. They must win both their remaining games to retain a realistic shot at a playoff berth. Shastri, however, remained confident ahead of CSK's next fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), calling the LSG match 'an off day' that delivered valuable lessons. 'I feel CSK will come back well in the next game,' he said.
Point of View
But the real question is why the tactical adjustment — switch to yorkers, vary the bouncer line — was not communicated from the dugout in real time. Four consecutive sixes in one over is not just a bowler's failure; it is a team management failure. CSK's playoff predicament, sitting sixth with two must-win games, reflects a broader inconsistency this season that individual lessons alone will not fix. The Gaikwad-Samson returns Shastri pins hope on are necessary but not sufficient — the bowling unit needs a smarter in-match plan against power hitters, not just post-match analysis.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Anshul Kamboj have a poor outing against LSG?
Kamboj conceded 63 runs in just 2.4 overs after Mitchell Marsh hit him for four consecutive sixes in one over during a knock of 90 off 38 balls. Ravi Shastri noted that Kamboj continued bowling short-pitched deliveries despite Marsh attacking them, instead of switching to yorkers or better-directed bouncers.
What advice did Ravi Shastri give Anshul Kamboj?
Shastri said Kamboj should have bowled more yorkers aimed at the stumps and, if opting for bouncers, targeted head height outside off stump with protective field settings — not chest or waist height, which Marsh handles comfortably.
What is CSK's current standing in IPL 2025?
CSK are placed sixth on the IPL 2025 points table with 12 points from 12 matches. They need to win both their remaining games to have a strong chance of qualifying for the playoffs.
Who scored runs for CSK against LSG?
Kartik Sharma top-scored with 71 while Shivam Dube made an unbeaten 32 as CSK posted 187/5. Key batters Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad did not contribute significantly in the match.
Who is CSK's next opponent after the LSG defeat?
CSK face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their next IPL 2025 match. Shastri expressed confidence that CSK would bounce back, calling the LSG defeat 'an off day' that carried important lessons for the squad.
