India bowler Anshul Kamboj (AP/PTI)
Anshul Kamboj produced a remarkable turnaround in his second ODI appearance, delivering a disciplined spell to help India bowl out New Zealand for 185 in the series opener at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday. The Haryana pacer, who endured a difficult debut against the West Indies in New Chandigarh last month, bounced back in style with figures of 2/22 in his 10 overs. His economy rate of 2.20 stood out in an impressive collective bowling effort as India restricted the hosts to 185 in 40.2 overs after opting to bowl first. Kamboj had conceded 82 runs without taking a wicket in his 10 overs on debut, as the West Indies successfully chased down a target of 352 by five wickets. Bowling first change, the 25-year-old kept things tight through the middle overs and picked up the wickets of New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith. Kamboj’s economy rate of 2.20 is the best by an Indian pacer since Jasprit Bumrah recorded identical figures against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2016. Ashish Nehra was the first to achieve the feat against Sri Lanka in Dambulla in August 2005, returning figures of 2/22. Ajit Agarkar matched it against the West Indies in Kuala Lumpur in September 2006, while Bumrah registered 4/22 against Zimbabwe in June 2016.
However, there was little sign of that outing affecting his confidence in Auckland, where his accuracy, ability to extract bounce and subtle seam movement troubled the New Zealand batters. His figures also earned him a place in the record books.
Best economy for an India pacer in an ODI innings since 2005: Bowler Figures Opposition Year Ashish Nehra 2/22 Sri Lanka 2005 Ajit Agarkar 2/22 West Indies 2006 Jasprit Bumrah 4/22 Zimbabwe 2016 Anshul Kamboj 2/22 New Zealand 2026 Daryl Mitchell looked comfortable during his 28-run stay before being run out following a sharp throw from Rohit Sharma. Glenn Phillips offered some resistance with 30 runs before Arshdeep returned to dismiss him. However, Blair Tickner provided late fireworks, smashing 34 off 23 balls, including four sixes, in a 39-run last-wicket partnership with Jacob Duffy. Despite the late assault, India wrapped up the New Zealand innings at 185, with Kamboj’s impressive comeback emerging as one of the major positives for the visitors.
New Zealand struggled to build substantial partnerships as India’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings. Axar troubled Santner with his spin before Kamboj eventually bowled the New Zealand captain. The pacer then accounted for Nathan Smith, who fell to a stunning one-handed catch by Virat Kohli. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.
Tim Seifert, who scored 38, also fell after mistiming a pull shot. India’s bowling attack delivered a collective performance, with all five bowlers used by captain Shubman Gill contributing to the effort. Arshdeep Singh led the attack with four wickets, while Gurnoor Brar claimed three. Kamboj picked up two wickets, and Axar Patel provided valuable support with his spin. Arshdeep made early inroads, dismissing openers Will Young and Henry Nicholls, while Brar removed Tim Latham with a sharp reflex catch off his own bowling. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines