“One match doesn’t decide a career”: Anshul Kamboj after winning POTM in 1st ODI vs New Zealand

Anshul Kamboj’s disciplined spell powers India to Auckland ODI victory

India began its five-match ODI series against New Zealand with a five-wicket win in a rain-affected opener in Auckland on November 4. Fast bowler Anshul Kamboj was named Player of the Match after delivering a remarkably economical spell that helped restrict the hosts to 185 all out.

Kamboj finished with figures of 2 for 22 from his full quota of 10 overs, including two maidens. His economy rate of just 2.20 put sustained pressure on New Zealand’s batters, limiting their opportunities to rotate the strike and build momentum. India’s pace attack set the tone, and the visitors later reached their revised target under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.

How Kamboj controlled New Zealand’s innings

Known for his ability to swing the ball and maintain a consistent line and length, Kamboj relied on control rather than trying to force a breakthrough with every delivery. In a format where batters often look to score quickly, his willingness to bowl patiently made it difficult for New Zealand to settle.

His two wickets were important, but the wider value of the spell was the pressure created at the other end. By keeping scoring opportunities scarce, Kamboj helped prevent the hosts from putting together the kind of partnerships that can transform an innings. New Zealand were eventually dismissed for 185, giving India a manageable total to chase despite the interruptions caused by rain.

The performance also offered a reminder that a bowler’s contribution is not measured by wickets alone. Maiden overs, economical spells and the ability to restrict scoring can shape an ODI innings just as significantly, especially when conditions or a revised target make every run important.

“One match doesn’t decide a career”

After collecting the Player of the Match award, Kamboj spoke about the importance of staying focused after being left out of the side. The Haryana-born seamer made his international debut in 2025, earning an opportunity during a period when injuries and fitness concerns had narrowed India’s selection options.

He was called into the squad during the Anderson-Tendulkar Test series and made his Test debut in Manchester. Kamboj took one wicket in that match but was subsequently dropped. Rather than allowing that setback to dominate his thinking, he said he continued working on the same routines and preparation that had brought him to the international level.

“One match doesn’t decide a career. I have been doing the same things. I got motivation to do well after the Manchester Test. I don’t pay attention to outside talk. When you prepare well, it gives you confidence and ensures there are no surprises in the match,” Kamboj said.

His comments reflect a practical approach to the ups and downs of professional cricket. Selection changes, difficult debuts and public discussion are part of the sport, but preparation remains within a player’s control. Kamboj’s Auckland display showed how a bowler can turn that steady work into a meaningful contribution when another opportunity arrives.

Adapting to conditions and responsibilities

Kamboj also noted that the dimensions of the ground differed from what he had encountered before, but said the presence of assistance from the pitch mattered more than those variations. For a fast bowler, reading conditions quickly is essential: ground size can affect field placement, while movement off the surface can influence the choice of length and line.

He described the all-rounder’s role in straightforward terms: concentrate on batting when holding the bat and bowling when holding the ball. The comment underlined his focus on the immediate task rather than getting distracted by expectations or labels. For India, that mindset could be valuable as the series continues and players are asked to adapt to changing conditions.

A notable entry in India’s ODI records

Kamboj’s Player of the Match award also placed his performance in a select statistical category. He became one of a small group of Indian players to win the honour in an ODI after taking two or fewer wickets without facing a delivery during the match. The distinction highlights how a bowler’s overall influence can earn recognition even when they do not contribute with the bat.

Previous Indian players associated with this category include Jasprit Bumrah, Mohit Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath. Kamboj’s figures of 2 for 22 in Auckland stand out for their exceptional economy, particularly in the modern ODI era, when scoring rates are generally higher and bowlers are often expected to defend against aggressive batting.

Records and statistical comparisons provide useful context, but Kamboj’s most important achievement was helping India take control of the opening match. His spell reduced New Zealand’s scoring options, contributed to their modest total and helped create the conditions for India’s successful chase.

What the result means for the series

India’s five-wicket victory gives the visitors an early advantage in the five-match contest and offers the team a positive start in challenging, rain-affected circumstances. For Kamboj, the award represents a significant step after a difficult beginning to his international career. It is not, as he stressed, a final verdict on his potential—but it is evidence that patience and preparation can pay off.

As the series progresses, attention will turn to whether India can maintain the discipline that proved so effective in Auckland. Kamboj’s performance may also influence the team’s selection decisions, particularly if conditions continue to reward seam bowling. Any prediction about the remaining matches will depend on factors such as weather, pitch behaviour and the form of both teams, but India’s opening win gives them confidence and a strong platform.

For now, the Auckland ODI will be remembered as a match in which Kamboj made control his greatest weapon. His two wickets mattered, but so did every quiet over that restricted New Zealand’s progress. In a game often defined by explosive scoring, his measured spell showed that accuracy, patience and composure can still make the decisive difference.