Anshul Kamboj Sets Unwanted IPL Milestone: First Bowler to Concede Four Sixes in an Over Twice

A Night to Forget for Anshul Kamboj at Ekana Stadium

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is known for being a graveyard for bowlers, particularly when the world’s most destructive batters find their rhythm. However, what transpired at the Ekana Stadium on Friday night during the clash between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) was a statistical anomaly that no bowler ever wishes to claim. Anshul Kamboj, the 25-year-old pacer representing the Yellow Army, etched his name into the history books for all the wrong reasons.

Kamboj, a former Mumbai Indians star who has shown promise in the domestic circuit with Haryana, became the first player in IPL history to be hit for four sixes in a single over twice during a single game. In a match where CSK was defending a competitive total of 187, the young pacer’s economy rate took a catastrophic hit as he was dismantled by two of the most dangerous power-hitters in the modern game: Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran.

The First Assault: Mitchell Marsh Sets the Tone

The nightmare began early in the innings. With LSG needing a brisk start to chase down 188, Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh took a particular liking to Kamboj’s length in the fifth over of the powerplay. The assault was clinical and relentless. Marsh dispatched the first four deliveries of the over into the stands, clearing the ropes with ease.

While Kamboj managed to salvage some pride with a dot ball on the fifth delivery, the damage was already done. The final ball of the over was steered away for a boundary, resulting in a 28-run over that completely shifted the momentum in favor of the Super Giants. At that point, many hoped the young bowler would find a way to bounce back later in the game, but the cricket gods had other plans.

The Finishing Blow: Nicholas Pooran Seals the Deal

After a mid-innings lull, the game reached its crescendo following the second strategic time-out. LSG required 24 runs from the final four overs—a manageable task, but one that required composure. CSK skipper handed the ball to Kamboj for the 17th over, hoping for a miracle or at least a tight over to drag the game into the final minutes. Instead, Nicholas Pooran decided to finish the contest in a hurry.

The West Indian southpaw mirrored Marsh’s earlier heroics, launching Kamboj for four towering sixes to seal a seven-wicket victory for the Lucknow-based franchise. By the time the dust settled, Kamboj’s figures read a staggering 0/63 from just 2.4 overs. It was a brutal reminder of how quickly things can unravel in the T20 format.

Ambati Rayudu Defends the Young Pacer

Despite the harrowing statistics, former CSK stalwart Ambati Rayudu offered a sympathetic perspective on Kamboj’s performance. Rayudu, a multiple-time IPL winner, emphasized that the quality of the batting often outweighs the errors of the bowler in such scenarios. Speaking on a prominent cricket analysis show, Rayudu defended the 25-year-old.

“He (Kamboj) has been bowling well this season, and a bad day is just around the corner,” Rayudu remarked. “All those balls that Anshul bowled to Marsh were decent balls. Except for the last delivery, it was incredible batting by Mitch Marsh. It is unfortunate he bowled to two players that are coming into good form with the bat.”

Rayudu also suggested that the leadership group within the Chennai Super Kings could have provided more emotional support during the onslaught. “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,” he added, highlighting the mental toll such overs can take on a developing athlete.

Where Does It Rank? The Worst Bowling Figures in IPL History

While Kamboj’s 0/63 is undoubtedly a tough pill to swallow, he is not alone in the hall of infamy. His performance currently ranks as the 22nd-worst bowling figures in the history of the IPL. The record for the most runs conceded in a single match remains with England’s Jofra Archer, who was taken for 76 runs in his four overs while playing for Rajasthan Royals against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2025.

• Jofra Archer (RR): 0/76 vs SRH (2025)
• Mohammed Shami (SRH): 0/75 vs PBKS (2025)
• William O’Rourke (LSG): High-conceding figures in 2025
• Mohit Sharma & Basil Thampi: Also featured in the top five for most runs conceded.

For Anshul Kamboj, the road ahead will be about resilience. In a tournament where the margins are razor-thin, one bad night does not define a career, but this particular milestone will unfortunately follow him for seasons to come.