Shastri views Kamboj as a strong fit for overseas tours in New Zealand, South Africa, and England.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has backed young pacer Anshul Kamboj to serve as India's "workhorse" during the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand.
Speaking on Sony Sports Network, Shastri noted that Test cricket in New Zealand requires a bowler who can deliver 15-over spells and Kamboj can hold one end tight when conditions get tough and windy.
He praised Kamboj's recent domestic and limited-overs performances while also highlighting his lower-order batting capability.
Kamboj earned Player of the Match honors in the first ODI against New Zealand at Auckland with figures of 2/22 in 10 overs, followed by 2/25 in the second ODI at Wellington.
The 25-year-old fast bowler from Haryana has already departed the white-ball group alongside Shubman Gill and KL Rahul to begin red-ball preparations. The Test series, crucial for India's ICC World Test Championship final hopes, begins on November 19 at the Basin Reserve, followed by the second Test in Christchurch on November 27.
"In a country like New Zealand, in Test match cricket, you will need a workhorse, and I think he is the man who could be your workhorse - someone like a Kamboj, who can come and bowl you those 15 overs and block one end up, especially when the going gets tough, when it's very windy and things of that sort," Shastri said.
"He can bat as well. So that comes in handy for Anshul. In the middle overs in a Test match or in an ODI game, you have got to have bowlers who have the ability to take wickets. Why India is 2-0 up is because of the performance of Anshul and Gurnoor Brar. In those middle overs where India normally go to spin to pick up wickets, it's the fast bowlers who have done the job," he added.
Shastri also pointed to Kamboj's heavy workload and success in Indian domestic cricket for Haryana, where he has taken 126 wickets at an average of 23.30 across 40 first-class matches.
"He comes across as a bloke who has done a lot of bowling in domestic cricket for Haryana and across formats. I think he will be very useful in these conditions. Sometimes you have got to pick blokes as horses for courses. He is the kind of guy who hits the bat. He is accurate."
With his hit-the-deck style, ability to move the ball both ways, and skill to nibble off the surface, Shastri views Kamboj as a strong fit for overseas tours in New Zealand, South Africa, and England.
"More importantly, if there is something there in the surface, the ball will nibble, he hits the bat, and he can get the ball to go both ways and surprise the batter. I think a welcome addition. You have got to build your bench strength as a fast bowling unit, and I think he is one of them. For New Zealand, South Africa, and England, he becomes a good choice," the former coach remarked.