Kamboj strikes first over as India dominate in Wellington

Anshul Kamboj dismissed Henry Nicholls in his first over in Wellington and R Ashwin backed the 25-year-old for the 2027 World Cup, as India tightened their grip on the second ODI against New Zealand.

Anshul Kamboj struck in his first over in Wellington on Saturday, dismissing Henry Nicholls as India tightened their grip on the second ODI, and earned a World Cup endorsement from Ravichandran Ashwin.

By StoryTimesNow News Desk — 07 November 2026, 11:07 AM IST

Symbolic illustration of a fast bowler seen from behind at the top of his delivery stride under floodlights at a cricket stadium in Wellington, representing Anshul Kamboj's first-over strike in the second ODI. — Kamboj struck in his first over in Wellington. (Illustration: StoryTimesNow)

Key Takeaways

Kamboj dismissed Henry Nicholls for 11 in his first over in Wellington, as New Zealand slumped to 29 for 3.
The 25-year-old followed his player-of-the-match 2 for 22 in Auckland.
Ravichandran Ashwin backed Kamboj for India's 2027 World Cup squad, saying he is "definitely putting his hand up".
India lead the five-match series 1-0; the match was reduced to 47 overs a side after rain.

Introduction

Five weeks ago, Anshul Kamboj's ODI career began with nine wicketless overs that cost 82 runs against West Indies. On Saturday in Wellington, the 25-year-old needed one over to show how far he has come: introduced in the ninth over, he dismissed Henry Nicholls with his fourth ball.

It was the latest step in a sharp turnaround. Kamboj was player of the match in Auckland, taking 2 for 22, and by mid-morning in Wellington he had added a wicket and two sharp catches.

What Happened?

Rain delayed the toss in Wellington and cut the match to 47 overs a side. Gill won the toss and chose to bowl at Sky Stadium, both sides unchanged. Arshdeep Singh opened with a maiden, and Auqib Nabi struck in his first over, dismissing Tim Seifert for a duck with Kamboj taking a diving catch at mid-on: Nabi's maiden ODI wicket.

Kamboj entered the attack in the ninth over as first change. Nicholls hit him for a boundary off the third ball, but Kamboj pulled his length back and got the next delivery to nip back into the left-hander. Nicholls edged it onto his boot and the ball trickled back onto the stumps. Nicholls departed for 11 from 26 balls, and New Zealand were 29 for 3.

Kamboj was involved again as the innings unravelled. Gurnoor Brar removed Glenn Phillips for a four-ball duck, Kamboj taking a well-judged catch at fine leg. At the last update New Zealand were 81 for 5 after 27 overs, with Daryl Mitchell and captain Mitchell Santner rebuilding.

Why Does This Matter?

For Kamboj, the Wellington spell completes a remarkable month. His ODI debut, on 3 October 2026 against West Indies at Mullanpur, was difficult: nine overs, no wicket, 82 runs conceded. The team management backed him anyway, and he repaid that faith in Auckland with 2 for 22 as India bowled New Zealand out for 185. He now has three wickets in three ODIs.

For India, the rise matters because the pace attack is young and short of its senior names. Bumrah is rested for the ODI leg and Siraj is not in the side, yet the attack bowled New Zealand out for 185 in Auckland and reduced them to 29 for 3 in Wellington.

For the selectors, the timing is significant. The 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa is a year away, and Ashwin used Kamboj's Wellington spell to endorse him as a serious contender for the squad, praising his adaptability in seaming conditions.

Important Details

Second ODI, Sky Stadium, Wellington, 7 November 2026. Day-night, 47 overs a side after rain. India won the toss and chose to field; both sides unchanged.

Kamboj: Nicholls for 11 in his first over; catches to remove Seifert and Phillips; 3 wickets in 3 ODIs.
Nabi: maiden ODI wicket, Seifert for a duck in his first over; playing his third ODI.
Arshdeep: opened with a maiden; 4 for 70 in the Auckland opener.
New Zealand: 29 for 3 in the powerplay; 81 for 5 after 27 overs; 185 all out in Auckland.

First ODI, Eden Park, Auckland, 4 November: New Zealand 185 all out in 40.2 overs (Arshdeep 4 for 70, Kamboj 2 for 22, Brar 3 for 44). Rain set India a revised DLS target of 143 in 32 overs; they reached it for five wickets, Kohli making 74 from 51 balls. It was India's first ODI win in New Zealand since February 2019.

Background and Context

Kamboj is a right-arm seamer from Haryana who has moved quickly from a tough debut to the centre of India's plans. His Auckland spell was built on control: ten overs, two maidens, 22 runs, and the wickets of Santner and Nathan Smith.

What Happens Next?

The Wellington match continues through Saturday. An India win means a 2-0 lead. The third ODI is at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on Tuesday, 10 November, with the final two at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on 13 and 15 November.

For Kamboj, the rest of the series is an audition in public. Three wickets in three matches and a player-of-the-match award have put him in the frame; a strong finish would make his World Cup case hard to ignore.

What Readers Should Know

Scores are as of about 11:00 AM IST on 7 November 2026.

FAQs

Who is Anshul Kamboj?

A 25-year-old right-arm fast bowler from Haryana. He debuted against West Indies on 3 October 2026 and was player of the match in the first ODI against New Zealand in Auckland, taking 2 for 22.

How did Kamboj dismiss Henry Nicholls?

In his first over, the ninth of the innings, Kamboj got a delivery to nip back into the left-hander. Nicholls edged it onto his boot and the ball trickled onto the stumps. Nicholls made 11 from 26 balls.

What did R Ashwin say about Kamboj?

Ashwin endorsed Kamboj as a serious contender for India's 2027 World Cup squad, saying he is "definitely putting his hand up" and has the tools to be successful.

Sources and Verification

Sportskeeda — Kamboj strikes in his first over as Nicholls gets bowled, 2nd ODI (7 November 2026)
Sportskeeda — Ashwin's take on Kamboj's World Cup chances, 2nd ODI (7 November 2026)
Outlook — India vs New Zealand 2nd ODI live score, Wellington (7 November 2026)
CricTimes — Kamboj's catch helps Nabi claim maiden wicket, 2nd ODI (7 November 2026)
Daily Hunt — Ashwin lauds Kamboj, 2027 World Cup place (7 November 2026)
The Telegraph — Kamboj's match-winning spell in Auckland (5 November 2026)

Editorial Note

Scores are as of about 11:00 AM IST on 7 November 2026; the match was in progress when this article was published.

Anshul Kamboj's first-over strike puts India on top in Wellington