Anshul Kamboj delivered a composed and miserly spell of 2 for 22 from 10 overs, including 46 dot balls, as India bowled New Zealand out for 185 in 40.2 overs and went on to claim a five-wicket victory by the DLS method in the first ODI at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday, 4 November. The Haryana seamer, playing only his second ODI, was named Player of the Match — a remarkable turnaround barely a month after a bruising debut.

Kamboj's Redemption at Eden Park

Kamboj's debut in the format had been a chastening one: he conceded 82 runs against the West Indies in New Chandigarh, arriving hurriedly as a replacement for Prasidh Krishna. Wednesday's outing in Auckland was the antithesis of that — disciplined, skiddy, and suffocating. Introduced as first change, he exploited the seaming surface at Eden Park by consistently hitting a good length, using extra bounce to keep New Zealand's middle order pinned. His victims included New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith.

'Basically, if someone has a bad match, it doesn't decide whether someone's career is going to be good or bad. I was doing the same thing from the beginning and I am still doing the same thing. So, one match going bad didn't affect me much. I just got the motivation to do better,' Kamboj said at the post-match press conference.

Reading the Wicket, Not the Dimensions

Playing at Eden Park — a ground notorious for its short square boundaries — Kamboj said the pitch conditions dictated his approach far more than the ground's dimensions. 'Today's wicket was a little seaming one. But it was also necessary that you have to put it on a good length. Only then you will get a purchase from the wicket. Otherwise, if you miss the length, you can get hit for runs,' he explained.

He dismissed concerns about Eden Park's compact outfield, noting that similarly sized venues exist in India. 'Dimensions come when there is no purchase on the wicket. Then dimensions come in the game,' he said.

Support from the Other End

While Kamboj built relentless pressure from one end, Arshdeep Singh (4 for 70) and Gurnoor Brar (3 for 44) cashed in with seven wickets between them. New Zealand were at risk of folding for well under 185 before a 39-run last-wicket stand between Blair Tickner and Jacob Duffy — the highest partnership of the innings — added some respectability.

Kamboj acknowledged the value of a holding role. 'If someone is bowling well from one end, then the wicket is bound to come from the other end. So, that's it — keep putting as much pressure as possible. If they are stuck, then keep them stuck for a longer period of time,' he said.

Kohli Seals the Chase

After two rain interruptions reduced India's target to 143 in 32 overs, Virat Kohli ensured there were no nerves, smashing 74 off 51 balls to guide India home in 22.4 overs. The result hands India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Eyes on Wellington

With the second ODI scheduled in Wellington on Saturday, Kamboj said the goal was straightforward momentum maintenance. 'Just looking to build the same momentum in the next match as well. Just working on my things which I can improve — regarding the bowling, batting, or fielding,' he said. His performance signals a potentially significant addition to India's pace resources ahead of a crucial bilateral run.