NZ vs IND, 1st ODI: Arshdeep Singh Joins Srinath, Shami in Rare ODI Club in New Zealand

Arshdeep Singh claimed four wickets as India bowled New Zealand out for 185 in the opening ODI of the five-match series at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday.

The left-arm pacer finished with 4/70 from his 10 overs, becoming the third Indian fast bowler after Javagal Srinath and Mohammed Shami to take an ODI four-wicket haul in New Zealand.

Gurnoor Brar supported him with 3/44 in 9.2 overs, while Anshul Kamboj returned 2/22 from 10 overs. The three pacers accounted for nine wickets as New Zealand struggled to build partnerships.

Arshdeep joins Srinath and Shami

Arshdeep’s figures rank fourth among ODI bowling performances by Indian pacers in New Zealand. Srinath holds the first two places with 4/23 in Auckland in 2003 and 4/52 in Napier in 1995. Shami took 4/55 in Napier in 2014.

One more wicket would have made Arshdeep only the second Indian bowler to claim an ODI five-wicket haul in New Zealand, alongside Anil Kumble, who took 5/33 in Wellington in 1994.

Arshdeep admitted the missing fifth wicket was on his mind when asked to pick his favourite dismissal.

“Favourite one would have been the fifth one, which I didn’t get. So I am still searching for one,” he said.

Seam and bounce do the damage

Arshdeep said the conditions offered encouragement to India’s bowlers, with movement off the surface and assistance from the wind.

“Loving the weather here and there is good purchase off the surface. After coming from the subcontinent, when you get some life in the wickets, it’s always a pleasure to bowl here. And yeah, the wind is helping as well,” he said.

He explained that India’s short-ball approach came from assessing the bounce available.

“I felt like there was something in the wicket, so we were just trying to hit the seam hard and try to get purchase off the surface. And they were trying some shots of that length, so we got the wickets.”

Tickner’s late hitting lifts New Zealand

Tim Seifert top-scored for the hosts with 38 from 43 balls, including three fours and two sixes. Glenn Phillips contributed 30 from 51 deliveries.

Blair Tickner provided late resistance with 34 from 23 balls, striking four sixes and a four to help New Zealand reach 185.

Arshdeep also explained his dancing celebration after dismissing Kyle Jamieson, saying it was dedicated to his girlfriend.

“We do these dance steps when we’re out walking or something like that. Whenever the mood is a little low, we cheer each other up with that celebration. So this was for her,” he said.

With inputs from ANI