Auckland, November 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India pacer Arshdeep Singh admitted that his team became “a little greedy” in its pursuit of wickets during the closing stages of New Zealand’s innings in the first ODI at Eden Park on Wednesday, allowing the hosts to add valuable runs after being reduced to 146/8.
India eventually bowled New Zealand out for 185 in 40.2 overs after choosing to field. Arshdeep led the attack with figures of 4-70, while Gurnoor Brar claimed three wickets and Anshul Kamboj took two.
However, Blair Tickner and Jacob Duffy frustrated India with a late partnership. Tickner smashed 34 off just 23 balls, including four sixes, three of them coming in Arshdeep’s expensive 38th over, as New Zealand pushed their total to 185.
Reflecting on the late resistance, Arshdeep said India should have continued with the disciplined approach that had worked earlier in the innings.
“I’d say we were being a little greedy and just trying to purchase the wicket. We just need to back what we were doing the whole innings, and the wicket would have come,” he said during the mid-innings broadcast.
The left-arm pacer was pleased with the assistance offered by the Auckland surface, particularly after India’s recent outings in subcontinental conditions.
“After coming from the subcontinent, when you get some life in the wickets, it’s always a pleasure to bowl here,” he said, adding that the wind was also helping the bowlers.
Arshdeep said India had focused on hitting the seam hard and exploiting the bounce, with New Zealand batters attempting shots against the short-pitched deliveries.
He also revealed that his wicket-taking celebration was dedicated to his girlfriend, explaining that the dance steps were something the couple shared to cheer each other up.
With 186 runs required for victory, Arshdeep cautioned that India would need to respect the conditions rather than take the target lightly.
“It’s a decent total. We just need to bat according to the surface, and we’ll see it through,” he said.
FOLLOW NOW
