Key points
- Anshul Kamboj said New Zealand's cold weather and seamer-friendly pitches remind him of winter conditions in Haryana, where he has developed as a fast bowler since starting cricket at 13.
- The 25-year-old is experiencing New Zealand for the first time on the senior team's ODI assignment, but said earlier India A matches in the country helped him acclimatise to the weather and conditions.
- Kamboj identified consistency in line and length as his main focus, saying accuracy is central to his bowling approach.
- He was Player of the Match in India's five-wicket DLS win in the first ODI at Eden Park, taking 2/22 in 10 overs, including two maidens.
- India captain Shubman Gill described Kamboj as tailor-made for the conditions, highlighting his seam movement, bounce and effectiveness with the older ball.
- Kamboj credited his experience working under Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings as a valuable learning experience.
India fast bowler Anshul Kamboj has found an unexpected sense of familiarity on his first senior international tour of New Zealand. The Haryana pacer says the country's cool weather and seam-friendly wickets remind him of winter conditions back home, where he has developed his bowling since taking up cricket at the age of 13.
That resemblance, he explained, has helped him feel comfortable in conditions that can challenge visiting players. Kamboj has also drawn on his earlier India A experience in New Zealand and the lessons gained while working under Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings. His comments come after an impressive start to the ODI assignment, where he earned Player of the Match honours in India's opening victory.
New Zealand conditions bring back Haryana memories
Kamboj told reporters that the weather in New Zealand feels similar to what he has experienced in Haryana during winter. The cooler conditions and pitches offering assistance to seam bowlers are familiar elements for a fast bowler whose development has taken place in northern India.
Although this is his first senior international experience in New Zealand, Kamboj has previously travelled there with India A. He said those matches helped him understand the nippy weather and get acclimatised to the conditions. That prior exposure has given him a reference point as he adjusts to the demands of the senior team's tour.
The comparison is relevant for a bowler whose approach depends on discipline rather than trying to force something from every delivery. Kamboj said his primary focus is to hit his lines and lengths consistently. In conditions where the ball can move off the surface, accuracy can create pressure and bring edges or mistimed shots into play.
A strong start at Eden Park
Kamboj's early performance on the tour has given substance to the confidence he expressed about the conditions. In the first ODI at Eden Park in Auckland on November 4, he returned figures of 2 for 22 from 10 overs, including two maidens, as India restricted New Zealand to 185 in 40.2 overs.
India won the rain-affected match by five wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. Kamboj dismissed New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith in consecutive overs, and his economical spell helped keep the hosts from building a more competitive total. He was named Player of the Match.
The performance followed a difficult start to his ODI career. On debut against the West Indies in October, Kamboj went wicketless and conceded 82 runs in nine overs. The response in Auckland was a reminder of the value of sticking to a process: he concentrated on hitting good areas, used the wobble seam and allowed the conditions to assist him rather than chasing wickets.
Gill sees a bowler suited to the conditions
India captain Shubman Gill praised Kamboj after the Auckland win, describing him as tailor-made for New Zealand conditions. Gill highlighted the pacer's ability to keep the ball moving off the seam, generate bounce and remain effective with the older ball, even when the pitch is not offering much assistance.
Gill's assessment reflects the role Kamboj played in a collective bowling performance. India used pace and bounce to trouble New Zealand's batters, with Arshdeep Singh taking four wickets and Gurnoor Brar claiming three. Kamboj's two wickets and control through the middle overs helped maintain pressure.
The conditions also changed during the rain interruptions. The ICC match report noted that the surface offered assistance to the seamers, while New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said the pitch became quicker and bounced more than his side expected. India's bowlers adapted effectively to those demands.
Lessons from India A and Chennai Super Kings
Kamboj's preparation for the tour has involved more than familiarity with the weather. His earlier India A matches in New Zealand gave him a chance to understand the local conditions before joining the senior team. That experience is particularly useful for a fast bowler, for whom small adjustments in length and release can make a difference on unfamiliar surfaces.
He has also spoken positively about his time at Chennai Super Kings, where he had the opportunity to work under head coach Stephen Fleming and former India captain MS Dhoni. Kamboj described the experience as a good learning curve and said it helped him. The franchise environment offered exposure to experienced leadership and different approaches to planning and execution.
His comments underline a development path shaped by domestic cricket, India A exposure and franchise experience. Kamboj began playing at 13 and has progressed into India's senior set-up. The current tour gives him an opportunity to translate those experiences into consistent international performances.
Accuracy remains the priority
Despite the attention following his Player of the Match performance, Kamboj has kept his stated focus simple: hit the right areas repeatedly. His comments suggest that he does not want to overcomplicate his plans in conditions that may offer movement. Rather than chasing the result of each delivery, he is concentrating on execution.
That approach will be tested as the five-match ODI series continues. New Zealand's conditions can vary between venues and according to weather, and batters will look to adjust after facing India's pace attack in the opener. For Kamboj, the challenge is to reproduce the control he showed at Eden Park while continuing to learn from each match.
The Haryana comparison offers an explanation for why the environment feels comfortable, but it does not remove the demands of international cricket. Kamboj's first ODI tour of New Zealand has begun with a strong individual performance. If he can maintain his accuracy and adapt to changing surfaces, the familiarity he has described could remain a useful advantage for India through the series.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Anshul Kamboj say New Zealand feels like Haryana?
Kamboj said the cold weather and seamer-friendly wickets in New Zealand remind him of winter conditions in Haryana. He has developed his fast bowling in those conditions, so the similarity gives him a familiar environment despite this being his first senior international visit to New Zealand.
How did Anshul Kamboj perform in the first ODI against New Zealand?
Kamboj took 2 wickets for 22 runs in 10 overs, including two maidens, as India defeated New Zealand by five wickets under the DLS method at Eden Park. He was named Player of the Match for his bowling contribution.
What does Anshul Kamboj consider his main bowling strength?
Kamboj has emphasised accuracy and consistency in line and length. In comments reported during the New Zealand tour, he said his focus was on hitting the right areas consistently rather than becoming distracted by the outcome of individual deliveries.
Has Anshul Kamboj played in New Zealand before?
Kamboj said this was his first experience of New Zealand with the senior Indian team. He had previously travelled there for India A matches, which helped him become familiar with the weather and the cooler, seamer-friendly conditions.
What did Anshul Kamboj learn at Chennai Super Kings?
Kamboj said working under head coach Stephen Fleming and former India captain MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings was a good learning experience. He credited that environment with helping his development as a cricketer.