At Eden Park in Auckland on November 4, 2026, Anshul Kamboj produced a controlled and disciplined bowling performance in the first ODI against New Zealand, finishing with figures of 2/22 from his full allocation of 10 overs at an economy rate of 2.20. His spell included 46 dot balls and two maiden overs, making it one of the most economical 10-over spells by an Indian bowler in men’s ODI cricket in recent years.
New Zealand, who opted to bat first, were restricted to 185 all out in 40.2 overs. Kamboj’s 22 runs conceded across 10 overs is the fewest by any Indian bowler in a full 10-over ODI spell since 2016. The only Indian to have bettered this mark in men’s ODI history at Auckland is Javagal Srinath, who conceded just 13 runs in a 10-over spell at the same venue. Kamboj dismissed Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith during his spell.
Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the Indian bowlers in terms of wickets, claiming 4/70 from his 10 overs, while Gurnoor Brar contributed 3/44 from 9.2 overs. Axar Patel was economical in his supporting role, conceding only 12 runs from 5 overs.
How did New Zealand’s batting unfold against India’s bowling attack?
New Zealand’s innings never truly gathered momentum against a disciplined Indian attack. Tim Seifert top-scored for the hosts with 38 off 43 balls, while Glenn Phillips contributed 30 off 51 balls. Daryl Mitchell added 28 runs to the total, but none of the top-order batters could convert their starts into a substantial knock.
Late in the innings, Blair Tickner provided some resistance lower down the order, striking 34 off just 23 balls, an effort that included four sixes. However, his cameo came too late to push New Zealand beyond 185, as the Indian bowlers maintained pressure throughout and wrapped up the innings in 40.2 overs.
How does Kamboj’s spell compare to the best by Indian bowlers in ODIs?
Kamboj’s return of 22 runs from 10 overs places him in rare company among Indian pacers in men’s ODI cricket. The benchmark at Auckland belongs to Javagal Srinath, whose 10-over spell yielded just 13 runs at the same ground, a figure that remains the lowest by an Indian bowler in a full ODI spell at that venue. Kamboj’s effort is the most economical 10-over spell by an Indian bowler in men’s ODIs since 2016, underlining the quality of his control on the day.
The combination of 46 dot balls, two maidens and an economy rate of 2.20 across a full 10-over spell reflects the consistency Kamboj maintained throughout the New Zealand innings. Alongside Arshdeep’s four-wicket haul and Brar’s three wickets, Kamboj’s contribution was central to India limiting New Zealand to a total of 185 in 40.2 overs at Eden Park.
