India’s 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series against New Zealand has offered an early indication that the team may have more pace-bowling options than its established first-choice attack, with Gurnoor Brar, Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi making significant contributions in the absence of key regulars.
The third ODI in Hamilton was abandoned without a ball being bowled on Tuesday due to persistent rain, leaving India with an unassailable 2-0 lead. The teams will now move to Mount Maunganui for the final two matches on November 13 and 15.
The first two matches have provided the clearest evidence yet of India’s emerging pace depth. Indian pacers accounted for 17 of New Zealand’s 20 wickets across the two games, with Arshdeep Singh, Brar and Kamboj leading the attack in Auckland before Brar, Nabi and Kamboj combined to dominate in Wellington.
In the opening ODI at Auckland, India dismissed New Zealand for 185 in 40.2 overs. Arshdeep returned 4/70, Brar took 3/44 and Kamboj produced an economical 2/22 from 10 overs. Kamboj was named Player of the Match as India won by five wickets under the DLS method.
Brar then produced the standout performance of the series so far in the second ODI at Wellington, claiming a career-best 4/30 from 10 overs as India bowled New Zealand out for 134. Nabi and Kamboj took two wickets apiece, while India eventually won by four runs under the DLS method.
The performances have come at a significant moment for India’s bowling planning. Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the series, while Prasidh Krishna was ruled out after failing to obtain fitness clearance as he continued his recovery from a hamstring injury.
That has created opportunities for a group of bowlers who are still establishing themselves in ODI cricket.
Brar has arguably made the strongest impression. The tall right-arm pacer took three wickets in the first ODI before his four-wicket haul in Wellington, using his height and bounce to trouble New Zealand’s batters. His eight wickets across the first two games make him the leading wicket-taker among India’s specialist pacers in the series.
Kamboj has offered a different dimension. His 2/22 in Auckland and 2/25 in Wellington have highlighted his ability to maintain pressure through economy as well as wickets. He also played a key role in the first ODI, where his 10-over spell helped restrict New Zealand to a modest total.
Nabi, meanwhile, has had a quieter but encouraging start. Added to the squad for the first three ODIs after initially being selected for the final two, the right-arm pacer went wicketless in Auckland before returning 2/31 in Wellington.
Arshdeep remains the most established of the younger group in terms of international exposure and provides India with left-arm variation. His four-wicket haul in Auckland demonstrated his ability to lead the attack, although his 7.00 economy rate in that match also underlined the difference between taking wickets and controlling the scoring rate.
The performances are particularly relevant with the 2027 ODI World Cup less than a year away. The tournament will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 2 to November 21, with India scheduled to begin its campaign against Australia in Cape Town on October 7.
The final two ODIs were particularly important for the emerging bowlers. The fourth and fifth matches at Mount Maunganui could give India another opportunity to assess Brar, Nabi and Arshdeep in different combinations, while Kamboj’s early consistency has already strengthened his case for further opportunities.
For now, the series does not establish a settled World Cup pace attack. But it has given India something valuable: evidence that the gap behind Bumrah and the established names may not be as wide as it appeared.
