Kamboj settling into rhythm after India's series opener win
Having played a pivotal role in India going 1-0 up in the ODIs against New Zealand, Kamboj assesses what worked for him.
Anshul Kamboj believes his firm focus is on taking one step at a time. His confession comes after his Player of the Match display that helped India to a victory in the first ODI against New Zealand at Eden Park.
The 25-year-old led the proceedings with the ball as he secured figures of 2/22 off his quota of 10 overs.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Kamboj was quick to point out what worked for him in the five-match ODI series opener.
“Today’s wicket was a little seaming, but it was also necessary to put it on a good length,” he said.
“Only then will you get purchase from the wicket.” He added that he did not dwell on the result while bowling, because the pitch rewarded anyone hitting the right areas.
Eden Park’s dimensions were not a concern either for the young pacer.
“When you look at the wicket, you look at what you have to do on the wicket, not at the dimensions,” he said.
That clarity of thought extended to how India’s bowlers worked as a unit. For Kamboj, the plan was built on patience and pressure.
“If someone is bowling well from one end, you get a wicket from the other end. You just have to create as much pressure as possible,” he explained.
“Don’t give them easy boundaries or easy runs. If you don’t give them easy runs, they will play wrong shots to make runs.”
With wickets falling at the other end, Kamboj conceded that his task was straightforward: “They were getting out from the other end, so I didn’t need to try much. I was just thinking about bowling in better areas.”
India's Anshul Kamboj celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Nathan Smith during the first ODI (Photo by Michael BRADLEY / AFP via Getty Images)
His teammates, Arshdeep Singh (4/70) and Gurnoor Brar (3/44) made handy contributions with the ball, further adding to the pressure on New Zealand.
The series offers both India and New Zealand an opportunity to try their combinations on the road to next year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
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Kamboj reflected on what the 50-over format offers a bowler who can make early use of the conditions.
“In one-day cricket there’s a new ball from both ends, so for the first 10-15 overs the movement is very good. We can use it for as long as we can.”
Rather than focusing on the result, the youngster chooses to focus on executing plans well.
“The result won’t be in your favour every time, but you can execute well,” he said, adding that the message from the team management has been just as simple: “If you are bowling in good areas, you should continue it.”
With more cricket to come in the series, his attention is firmly on the next game.
“Just looking to build the same momentum in the next match as well,” he said.
“If you prepare well, obviously you’ll get confidence. Prepare as well as you can so there are no surprises in the match. Just be ready for everything.”
India are in good stead for the remainder of the series with a dominant display in the first ODI despite rain stoppages.
The visitors were guided to their chase of a rain-curtailed total thanks to the heroics of Virat Kohli, who top-scored with 74 off 51 deliveries, extending his red-hot streak with the bat in the format.
The two teams will next square off on Saturday, November 7 in Wellington.
India v New Zealand ODI series schedule:
First ODI: November 4, Auckland [India won by 5 wickets (DLS method)]
Second ODI: November 7, Wellington
Third ODI: November 10, Hamilton
Fourth ODI: November 13, Mount Mounganui
Fifth ODI: November 15, Mount Mounganui
