Former Indian player turned commentator Sunil Gavaskar has said that Auqib Nabi was potentially nervous in the first ODI against New Zealand. He added that the pace bowler didn’t swing the ball after one or two overs. However, India registered a five-wicket win via the DLS method in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4, while chasing down a revised 143-run target with 56 balls to spare.

During a discussion on Sony Sports, Gavaskar said, “I felt he was probably nervous. He got the ball to swing in the first one or two overs, but after that, he didn’t swing the ball. His length was good in the first over, but after that, his length became fuller. His thought process was right because the ball will move a little in the air and after pitching if he bowls full. However, since the straight boundaries are extremely small, the batters took advantage of that and started hitting fours. After that, when he pulled his length back, there was no movement at all.”

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However, Sunil Gavaskar added that Auqib Nabi might get slightly more help from the conditions in the second ODI as well.

“There are days when you bowl well, but you don’t get wickets. He might get a little more help in Wellington. The match is not at the Basin Reserve. It’s in the other stadium. Had it been at the Basin Reserve, it’s an open ground, and the ball can swing more in the Test match. In this match, it’s the white ball. That also doesn’t swing much,” he said.

“However, at times, if you get rhythm in your first over and pick up a wicket, the atmosphere becomes totally different. I feel they should show faith in Nabi. He should be given chances because whether it’s Wellington or Christchurch, he will get a little help on all wickets,” he concluded.