AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — India produced a complete bowling performance Wednesday, restricting New Zealand to 185 despite the short boundaries at Eden Park in the first of five one-day cricket internationals.
While there was the odd blemish in the field, the five bowlers used by India captain Shubman Gil all contributed as New Zealand was bowled out in 40.2 overs.
Arshdeep Patel and Auqib Nabi used the pace and bounce in the Eden Park pitch early on and Anshul Kamboj was a constant threat later with his accuracy and slight seam movement.
Gurnoor Brar also was threatening as the fourth pacer and Axar Patel provided excellent backup with his spin, particularly bamboozling the New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner.
The New Zealand batters were unable to establish regular and substantial partnerships despite the short straight boundaries and fast outfield.
Arshdeep took 4-70, his figures damaged by the forceful batting of tailender Blair Tickner. Brar took 3-44 and Kamboj returned 2-22.
Opener Will Young (9) survived an early chance before mistiming a pull shot and top-edging a catch to Shreyas Iyer off Arshdeep. Henry Nicholls (9) also succumbed to the lure of the pull, hitting a ball from Arshdeep directly to Naman Dhir at mid-wicket.
Tim Seifert made 38 from 43 balls, then found the pull shot irresistible, mistiming his attempt to mid-off in the 15th over. Tom Latham made only 3 before falling to a sharp reflex catch by Brar off his own bowling.
Daryl Mitchell looked comfortable on his way to 28 but was run out when Phillips turned a ball into the leg side, set off for a single and Rohit Sharma's throw to K.L Rahul beat Mitchell to the striker's end.
Sharma, Rahul and Virat Kohli are among the India stars returning to the lineup after bypassing the recent T20 series which India won 3-2.
Santner was discomfited by the spin of Axar then bowled by Kamboj when the ball spun back from his defensive shot and bounced between his legs to hit the stumps.
Nathan Smith (1) fell to a brilliant one-handed catch by Kohli off Kamboj. With his athleticism, Kohli showed no signs of being a day away from his 38th birthday.
Arshdeep returned to dismiss Glenn Phillips, who had made 30 and was threatening to lead a rearguard action when he holed out to Schreyas Iyer at mid-off.
No. 11 Tickner delivered a rebuke to the top order when he blasted 34 from 23 balls, including four sixes in a 39-run last-wicket stand with Jacob Duffy.
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