Anshul Kamboj produced a remarkable turnaround in his second ODI, returning figures of 2/22 in 10 overs as India restricted New Zealand to 185 in the first match of the five-game series at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday. The Haryana pacer recorded an economy rate of 2.20, matching a long-standing benchmark for Indian fast bowlers in the format.
Kamboj had endured a difficult start to his international career during his ODI debut against the West Indies in New Chandigarh last month. He conceded 82 runs without taking a wicket in his 10 overs as the visitors chased down a target of 352 with five wickets to spare.
However, the 25-year-old responded emphatically in Auckland. Bowling as the first change, he used the surface’s pace and extra bounce to keep the New Zealand batters in check during the middle overs. He dismissed captain Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith to finish with figures of 10-2-22-2.
Kamboj was India’s most economical pacer on the day, while Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar combined to take seven wickets as New Zealand were bowled out for 185 in 40.2 overs after India elected to bowl.
Kamboj’s economy rate of 2.20 puts him among the most economical spells by an Indian pacer to complete all 10 overs in an ODI innings since 2005. He joins Ashish Nehra and Ajit Agarkar, who recorded identical figures of 10-1-22-2 against Sri Lanka and West Indies in 2005 and 2006, respectively.
Jasprit Bumrah also recorded an economy rate of 2.20 against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2016, returning figures of 10-1-22-4.
The figures underline the significance of Kamboj’s performance, particularly after his expensive debut. His disciplined spell helped India restrict New Zealand to a modest total and gave the visitors a strong start to the ODI series.
