Arshdeep Singh became the third Indian pace bowler to take a four-wicket haul in New Zealand during the first ODI against New Zealand at Auckland on November 4. He claimed 4/70 in his 10 overs at Eden Park.His performance ranks as the fourth best by an Indian pacer in New Zealand, behind Javagal Srinath’s 4/23 at Auckland in 2003 and 4/52 at Napier in 1995, and Mohammed Shami’s 4/55 at Napier in 2014. Had Arshdeep taken one more wicket, he would have joined Anil Kumble, who took 5/33 at Wellington in 1994, as the only Indian bowlers with a five-wicket haul on New Zealand soil.In five ODIs this year, Arshdeep has taken 12 wickets at an average of 23.08 and an economy rate of 6.08, with best figures of 6/70.Reflecting on his bowling, Arshdeep said, “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.”Regarding the success of the short-ball tactic, he added, “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.”On missing out on what could have been his second five-wicket haul in ODIs, Arshdeep said, “Favourite one would have been the fifth one, which I didn’t get. So I am still searching for one.”He also explained his dance celebration after dismissing Kyle Jamieson, stating, “That is for my 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.India’s bowling attack dominated New Zealand’s batting lineup to restrict the hosts to 185 runs in the opening match of the five-match ODI series at Eden Park. Alongside Arshdeep Singh’s four wickets, Gurnoor Brar took 3/44 in 9.2 overs, and Anshul Kamboj contributed 2/22 in 10 overs.New Zealand struggled to build partnerships, with Tim Seifert top-scoring with 38 runs off 43 balls, including three fours and two sixes. Glenn Phillips added 30 runs from 51 balls, while Blair Tickner scored 34 runs off 23 balls, hitting four sixes and one four.
Arshdeep Singh takes four wickets, joins elite Indian pacers in NZ
