Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh came up with a brilliant bowling spell on day one of the first ODI between India and New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland, on November 4. He took 4/70 in his 10 overs of bowling to join former Indian fast bowlers Javagal Srinath and Mohammed Shami as the only 3 Indian pace bowlers to have taken a 4-wicket haul in New Zealand.

The spell put him in the list of the top 4 Indian pace bowlers to have bowled well in New Zealand. Srinath is at the top with 4/23 (Auckland, 2003) and 4/52 (Napier, 1995). Shami is at third with 4/55 (Napier, 2014). However, he did miss out on joining spin legend Anil Kumble, who is the only Indian to take a 5-wicket haul in New Zealand. He took 5/33 (Wellington, 1994).

Arshdeep Singh opens up on bowling conditions and missed a five-wicket haul

Arshdeep has had a brilliant season in ODIs. He has taken 12 wickets in 5 games at an average of 23.08 and an economy of 6.08. His best figures came in this game, where he took 6/70.

The left-arm pacer said he enjoyed the conditions in New Zealand and the pitch and wind helped him.

“Loving the conditions here. Getting good grip from the pitch. From the subcontinent, we come here, and whenever there's some life in the wickets, it's always nice to bowl here. Plus, the wind is helping.”

“I felt there was some life in the wickets, so we just tried to hit the seam as much as possible and get some grip from the pitch. They were trying to play some shots of that length. Got the wickets,” he added.

The Indian pacer admitted he was a little disappointed at missing out on his second five-wicket haul in ODIs. When asked which wicket was his favorite to take in the innings, he cheekily replied that it was the one he missed.

“It would have been the fifth wicket, but I didn't take it. Still looking for one.”

The pacer also explained why he danced in celebration of taking the wicket of Kyle Jamieson. It was a tribute to his girlfriend, actor-model Samreen Kaur.

“It's for my girlfriend. We do these dance moves. We often go for walks, and we do these dance moves. Whenever we are feeling down, we cheer each other up by doing these dance moves. So this was for her.”

India bowlers dismantle New Zealand for 185

India put in a brilliant bowling display to dismantle New Zealand for 185. The tourists used the conditions to their advantage and stopped the home side from getting into any big partnerships.

Arshdeep led the charge with his four-wicket haul. Gurnoor Brar was brilliant too, picking up 3/44 from 9.2 overs. Anshul Kamboj was also valuable, picking up 2/22 from his 10 overs.

The Kiwis struggled to get any momentum. Tim Seifert was the top scorer on 38 from 43 balls, hitting 3 fours and 2 sixes. Glenn Phillips chipped in with 30 from 51 balls. Blair Tickner put up a spirited fight at the end, scoring an entertaining 34 from just 23 balls, hitting one four and four sixes.

However, the Indian attack kept picking up wickets. The hosts were restricted to 185.