India captain Shubman Gill was delighted with his team’s all-round performance after the Men in Blue defeated New Zealand by five wickets in the rain-affected first ODI at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday, November 4. Chasing a revised target of 143 runs under the DLS method, India secured a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Speaking after the match, Gill praised India’s inexperienced bowling attack, particularly Anshul Kamboj and Gurnoor Brar, for their impressive performances in conditions that offered assistance to the fast bowlers. He also highlighted the team’s fielding efforts, singling out Rohit Sharma’s brilliant run-out of Daryl Mitchell as a major turning point.

India won the toss and elected to bowl first, opting for a combination of four specialist pacers and two all-rounders. New Zealand initially looked comfortable but struggled to maintain momentum against India’s disciplined bowling attack. Will Young departed for nine runs before Henry Nicholls also lost his wicket. Tim Seifert provided some resistance with a valuable 38, but New Zealand found themselves struggling at 84/4. Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell attempted to rebuild the innings through a partnership before Rohit produced a brilliant fielding effort to run Mitchell out for 28.

Anshul Kamboj then strengthened India’s position by claiming two wickets for just 22 runs in his 10 overs. Arshdeep Singh led the attack with four wickets, while Gurnoor Brar also picked up two scalps as New Zealand were bowled out for 185. Kamboj’s economical spell earned him the Player of the Match award.

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India’s chase suffered an early setback when Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a duck. However, Gill and Virat Kohli steadied the innings with a crucial 113-run partnership off 104 deliveries. Kohli played a magnificent knock of 74 from 51 balls, hitting 13 fours and a six, while Gill contributed 37 runs. Although India lost a few wickets after their dismissals, Naman Dhir ensured there were no further complications as India completed the chase comfortably.

Gill was particularly impressed with the contributions of Kamboj and Brar, explaining how their different bowling qualities suited the conditions.

“I mean Anshul is the kind of a bowler, I think he’s tailor-made for these kind of conditions, always nippy, trying to seam the ball. And good with the old ball. We felt when there’s not much happening from the wicket, he (Brar) can create that extra bounce and with his pace and the way both of them bowled tonight was really magnificent to watch,” Shubman Gill said, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

The Indian captain also credited the team’s fielding effort and highlighted Rohit’s run-out as a crucial moment. “I think we were very good with the bowling. And I think our fielding was also really good. That run out by Rohit bhai, I think changed the momentum of the game. I think it was really that partnership (Mitchell & Phillips), we saw that even in India – those two batted really well in India. And overall I think a very good team performance for us,” he added.

Gill further explained that adapting to the changing conditions following rain interruptions was challenging, particularly as the pitch offered more movement after the delay. However, India’s batters stuck to their natural approach after the target was revised.

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“I mean it’s never easy when you are set and then it rains and the wicket got a little bit quick, it got a little bit more nippy after the rain. So the target reduced. So we were just trying to play our normal cricket. And I think the way Virat bhai batted, it made things a lot more easy for us,” Shubman Gill said.

Looking ahead to the second ODI in Wellington, the India captain identified consistency as the biggest priority rather than making major changes. “Nothing really, if we are able to replicate our performance, it’s all about consistency for us. If we are able to do the same thing over and over again, I think we’ll be in a great space,” he concluded. India will now look to carry the momentum from their comprehensive opening victory into the second match of the series.