Anshul Kamboj Shines in ODI Against New Zealand After Early Career Struggles

Anshul Kamboj, after facing early setbacks in his international career, showcased his talent in the ODI against New Zealand, earning the 'Player of the Match' award. His impressive bowling figures and mental resilience highlight his determination to improve. Kamboj reflects on the importance of focusing on execution rather than external opinions, emphasizing that a single match does not define a player's career. With a strong performance alongside Virat Kohli, India secured a victory in a rain-affected match. Read on to learn more about Kamboj's journey and insights.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 4, 2026, 23:38 IST

Kamboj Reflects on His Performance

Auckland [New Zealand], November 4: Indian fast bowler Anshul Kamboj, who earned the 'Player of the Match' title for his performance against New Zealand, shared insights on his crucial bowling spell after facing challenges early in his international career. He emphasized that a poor performance in one match does not define a player's career and that he remains focused, ignoring external distractions.

Impressive Bowling Figures

Kamboj's figures of 2 wickets for 22 runs may seem modest, but they reflect the pressure he exerted on the New Zealand batsmen during the low-scoring first ODI in Auckland. He took the wickets of Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith, allowing only two boundaries and increasing the dot-ball percentage, which forced the Kiwis into making errors.

Overcoming Early Setbacks

Not long ago, Kamboj faced a tough outing against the West Indies, where he conceded 82 runs in nine overs during his ODI debut, with Shai Hope hitting him for six fours. His Test debut against England also saw him struggle, finishing with figures of 1 for 89 in an 18-over spell, which was not the start he had hoped for after gaining attention in domestic cricket and the IPL.

Mental Resilience

During a press conference, Kamboj reflected on his resilience, stating, “Losing a match doesn’t determine whether my career is good or bad. I’ve maintained my approach and continue to focus on improvement.” He also mentioned that he doesn’t let the opinions of fans and experts affect him, concentrating instead on his game.

Bowling Strategy

Kamboj noted that the Auckland pitch provided good seam movement, emphasizing the importance of bowling in the right areas. “I didn’t focus on the outcome; the wicket offered assistance if you bowled accurately. The dimensions of the ground are secondary to how the pitch behaves,” he explained.

Balancing Batting and Bowling

In addition to his bowling, Kamboj is keen on enhancing his batting skills, stating, “When I’m batting, I don’t think about bowling, and vice versa.” He mentioned that the team management encourages him to prioritize execution over worrying about results.

Match Highlights

In the rain-affected first ODI of the five-match series, India triumphed over New Zealand, thanks to a commanding 74 runs from Virat Kohli and stellar bowling performances from Arshdeep Singh and Kamboj. Singh led the bowling attack with four wickets, while Gurnoor Brar contributed with three wickets, helping to restrict New Zealand to 185 runs. India successfully chased down a revised target of 143 runs in 32 overs despite rain interruptions.