India pacer Anshul Kamboj takes 2/22 and Player of the Match vs New Zealand
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The gist
India pacer Anshul Kamboj took 2/22 in 10 overs and was Player of the Match in his second ODI, against New Zealand in Auckland.
The spell turns around an expensive debut and marks a 25-year-old quick as one to watch.
Background
Anshul Kamboj is a 25-year-old fast bowler from Haryana who had played just one international match before this tour — a Test debut on India's tour of England. He was added to the ODI squad in October 2026 only as cover for the injured Prasidh Krishna, and his first ODI, a month before Auckland, was expensive. Against New Zealand at Eden Park he took 2/22 in 10 overs, removing captain Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith, as India bowled New Zealand out for 185 and won by five wickets in a rain-affected game.
How it unfolded
- Oct 1, 2026Kamboj is named as replacement for the injured Prasidh Krishna, who suffered a hamstring injury in the second ODI in Guwahati, for the final India vs West Indies ODI in New Chandigarh.
- Nov 4, 2026In his second ODI, Kamboj takes 2/22 in 10 overs against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland and is named Player of the Match; India dismiss New Zealand for 185 and win by five wickets in a rain-affected match.
- Nov 5, 2026Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan calls Kamboj the biggest positive of the match, citing relentless lengths and more movement than the other bowlers.
Key terms
- pacer
- A cricket fast bowler who delivers the ball at high speed.
- ODI
- A cricket format between international teams in which each side bats a fixed fifty overs.
- Test debut
- The longest format of international cricket, played over up to five days with two innings per team.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Expert
- Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan said Kamboj was the biggest positive of the match, with relentless lengths and more movement than the other bowlers, and called him a skilful bowler who can take the new ball, bowl wide yorkers and contribute with the bat.
- Player
- Kamboj said one match doesn't decide a career, that he has been doing the same things, and that he doesn't pay attention to outside talk; he credited consistent length and line and repeated use of the wobble seam ball.