Anshul Kamboj enters unwanted IPL record list after expensive spell against Gujarat Titans

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fast bowler Anshul Kamboj had a difficult outing against Gujarat Titans (GT) in an important IPL 2026 match. The game took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where Gujarat Titans delivered a powerful batting performance and scored a huge total of 229 runs in the first innings.

Kamboj, who has impressed many fans during the season with his bowling, struggled badly in this match. Gujarat batters attacked him from the beginning and hit boundaries regularly. By the end of his spell, the young bowler had given away 56 runs in four overs and managed to take only one wicket.

The match became even more disappointing for Kamboj because he entered an unwanted record list in IPL history. During the game, he surpassed Gujarat Titans spinner Rashid Khan to become the bowler who has conceded the highest number of sixes in a single IPL season.

This statistic placed him at the top of an unwanted list that no bowler wants to lead. Kamboj has now given away 34 sixes during IPL 2026, moving past Rashid Khan, who had conceded 33 sixes in IPL 2025.

Even though Kamboj has shown promise throughout the season, this particular record has raised questions about how difficult it can be for bowlers in modern T20 cricket, especially in a high-scoring tournament like the IPL where batters often dominate.

Gujarat batters dominate the innings

The match between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings was an important one for both teams. Gujarat wanted a strong finish to strengthen their position near the top of the points table, while Chennai needed a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Batting first, Gujarat Titans started confidently and kept the pressure on Chennai’s bowlers throughout the innings. Their batters attacked from the powerplay and did not allow the CSK bowling unit to settle.

Among the bowlers, Anshul Kamboj faced the toughest challenge. Gujarat players targeted his deliveries and hit him for several boundaries and sixes. He tried different lengths and variations, but nothing seemed to stop the scoring.

In T20 cricket, bowlers often face extreme pressure because batters take risks almost every ball. A few bad overs can quickly change bowling figures, and unfortunately for Kamboj, this match turned into one of those difficult days.

Kamboj finished with bowling figures of 1 wicket for 56 runs in four overs. While one expensive spell does not define a player’s season, it became memorable because of the unwanted IPL record attached to it.

The record for most sixes conceded in a single IPL season now stands like this:

• 34 sixes — Anshul Kamboj (2026)

• 33 sixes — Rashid Khan (2025)

• 31 sixes — Mohammed Siraj (2022)

• 30 sixes — Wanindu Hasaranga (2022)

• 30 sixes — Yuzvendra Chahal (2024)

• 30 sixes — Kagiso Rabada (2026)

Interestingly, the list includes several famous bowlers who are widely respected in world cricket. Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Chahal, Rabada and Hasaranga have all performed at the highest level despite having difficult seasons or expensive matches.

This shows that even top bowlers sometimes struggle in a format like T20 cricket, where aggressive batting has become normal.

For Kamboj, this season has not been completely negative. Before this match, he had performed well for Chennai in several games and was seen as a bright talent for the future. His ability to bowl under pressure and pick important wickets had earned praise from fans and cricket experts.

However, cricket often tests players mentally. A poor match can affect confidence, especially when it comes with criticism or negative records.

The challenge for Kamboj now will be to recover mentally and learn from the experience. Young players often improve after difficult matches because they understand their weaknesses better and work on them.

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Chennai face elimination danger

The defeat looked especially painful for Chennai Super Kings because they were already in a difficult position in the tournament.

The five-time IPL champions were depending not only on their own performances but also on results of other teams to stay alive in the playoff race. That meant every match had become very important.

After conceding 229 runs, Chennai faced a huge challenge while chasing the target. Their batting innings reportedly started slowly, making the task even harder.

A defeat against Gujarat would mean elimination from IPL 2026 for Chennai Super Kings, ending their hopes of reaching the playoffs.

For Gujarat Titans, however, the situation looked very different. The team had played strongly in the later part of the tournament and continued showing excellent form.

A big victory against Chennai could improve Gujarat’s standing and help them move toward the top of the points table. However, they would need a large winning margin to go ahead of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and claim the number one spot.

The match also highlighted the changing nature of T20 cricket. Big scores have become more common, and bowlers often suffer on batting-friendly pitches.

In earlier formats of cricket, giving away 50 runs in four overs would be shocking. But in modern IPL cricket, where batters attack from ball one, even experienced bowlers sometimes end up with expensive figures.

For Anshul Kamboj, this match may be remembered for the unwanted record, but it can also become an important learning moment in his career. Many successful cricketers have gone through difficult periods before returning stronger.

While the numbers may look disappointing today, one poor outing does not erase an entire season of effort. The young bowler will now hope to bounce back and prove that tough matches are only temporary setbacks in a long cricket journey.