Anshul Kamboj joins Jasprit Bumrah in elite list after record match against New Zealand

Indian bowler Anshul Kamboj (AP/PTI) Anshul Kamboj produced a remarkable turnaround in his second ODI appearance and produced a disciplined spell to help India bowl out New Zealand for 185 in the series opener at Auckland’s Eden Park on Wednesday.The Haryana pacer, who endured a tough debut against West Indies in New Chandigarh last month, bounced back in style with figures of 2/22 in his 10 overs. His economy rate of 2.20 stood out in an impressive collective bowling effort as India restricted the hosts to 185 in 40.2 overs after opting to bat first.Kamboj conceded 82 runs without a wicket in his 10 overs on debut as West Indies successfully chased down a target of 352 by five wickets. But there was no sign of the outing affecting his confidence in Auckland, where his accuracy, bounce-extracting ability and fine seam movement troubled the New Zealand batsmen.Bowling the first change, the 25-year-old kept things going through the middle overs and picked up the wickets of New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith. His figures also earned him a place in the record books.Kamboja’s economy rate of 2.20, according to the Indian pacer, is the best since Jasprit Bumrah recorded the same figures against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2016.Ashish Nehra was the first to achieve the feat against Sri Lanka in Dambulla in August 2005 and returned with figures of 2/22. Ajit Agarkar took on the West Indies in Kuala Lumpur in September 2006, while Bumrah took 4/22 against Zimbabwe in June 2016.Best economy for an Indian pacer in an ODI innings since 2005:G BowlerCharactersOppositionYearAshish Nehra2/22Sri Lanka2005Ajit Agarkar2/22West Indies2006Jasprit Bumrah4/22Zimbabwe2016Anshul Kamboj2/22New Zealand2026India’s bowling attack produced a collective performance that utilized all five bowlers Shubman Arshdeep Singh led the charge with four wickets while Gurnoor Brar claimed three. Kamboj took two wickets and Axar Patel provided valuable support with his spin.Arshdeep broke into the game early, dismissing openers Will Young and Henry Nicholls, while Brar removed Tim Latham with a sharp reflex catch off his own bowling. Tim Seifert, who scored 38, also fell after mistimed a shot.Daryl Mitchell looked comfortable during his 28-run stay before being dismissed by Rohit Sharma’s sharp throw. New Zealand struggled to build substantial partnerships as the Indian bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the innings.Axar troubled Santner with his spin before Kamboj eventually bowled the New Zealand skipper. Temper then accounted for Nathan Smith, who fell to a stunning one-handed catch by Virat Kohli.Glenn Phillips offered some resistance for 30 runs before Arshdeep came back to dismiss him. But Blair Tickner provided the late fireworks, smashing 34 off 23 balls, including four sixes, in partnership with Jacob Duffy for 39 runs.Despite a late onslaught, India bundled out New Zealand’s innings for 185, with Kamboja’s impressive comeback proving one of the major positives for the visitors.