India left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh acknowledged that his side turned 'a little greedy' in the closing stages of New Zealand's innings during the first ODI at Eden Park, Auckland on Wednesday, 4 November, conceding an avoidable late surge despite controlling the bulk of the hosts' batting. India bowled New Zealand out for 185 in 40.2 overs after opting to field, leaving themselves 186 to win.

India's Bowling Dominance — and That One Costly Over

Arshdeep led India's attack with figures of 4 for 70, backed by Gurnoor Brar's three wickets and Anshul Kamboj's two. New Zealand were in deep trouble at 146 for 8 when lower-order pair Blair Tickner and Jacob Duffy mounted a rescue act. Tickner hit four sixes in a blistering 23-ball 34, including three in a single over — the costly 38th over — off Arshdeep himself, helping the hosts add 39 runs for the final two wickets.

What Arshdeep Said About the Breakdown

'I'd say we were being a little greedy and just trying to purchase the wicket. We just need to back what we were doing the whole innings, and the wicket would have come. But we were a little greedy at the end,' Arshdeep told broadcasters after the first innings. The admission underlines a recurring challenge for death-over bowling — the temptation to force wickets rather than trust process when a team senses the finish line.

Auckland Conditions and the Short-Ball Plan

Arshdeep was candid about how much the New Zealand surface energised India's pacers after a stretch of subcontinental assignments. 'Loving the weather here and there is good purchase off the surface. After coming from the subcontinent, when you get some life in the wickets, it's always a pleasure to bowl here. And yeah, the wind is helping as well,' he said. India's gameplan centred on hitting the seam hard and testing batters with short-pitched deliveries, an approach that unlocked multiple wickets throughout the innings.

The Personal Story Behind the Celebration

Arshdeep also revealed the meaning behind his wicket celebration, attributing it to a private routine with his girlfriend. 'Favourite one would have been the fifth one, which I didn't get. So I'm still searching for one. That's (celebration) for my girlfriend. We do these dance steps when we're out walking or something like that. Whenever the mood is a little low, we cheer each other up with that celebration. So this was for her,' he said, adding a rare personal touch to a post-innings debrief.

India's Chase and What Comes Next

With 186 required for victory, Arshdeep urged his batting colleagues to treat the target with respect rather than complacency. 'I feel like it's a decent total. We just need to bat according to the surface, and we'll see it through,' he said. The Eden Park surface's pace and bounce, which aided India's seamers, could make the chase trickier than the number suggests, particularly if the conditions remain helpful into the second innings.