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Anshul Kamboj explains why NZ feels like Haryana: 'Similar weather and wickets'

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Anshul Kamboj made an impressive start to his maiden One-Day International series by taking four wickets across his first two matches against New Zealand. He credited his fast transition to similarities between the local pitches and the conditions he encountered in his home state of Haryana since age 13. A previous stint with India A further aided his preparation, allowing him to determine the ideal lengths for nippy surfaces. This breakthrough arrives after a 21-wicket campaign for the Chennai Super Kings during the 2026 Indian Premier League season.

Key points

  • Prior experience on chilly domestic tracks and an India A tour allowed the bowler to accl…: Prior experience on chilly domestic tracks and an India A tour allowed the bowler to acclimatize quickly to overseas pitches.
  • Working alongside Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Stephen Fleming provided critical learning tha…: Working alongside Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Stephen Fleming provided critical learning that supported his national team breakthrough.
  • Rather than relying solely on favorable wicket conditions, the pacer emphasizes adjusting…: Rather than relying solely on favorable wicket conditions, the pacer emphasizes adjusting his line and length to match the situation.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

NEW DELHI: Anshul Kamboj may be experiencing New Zealand conditions for the first time, but the Indian pacer is hardly finding them unfamiliar. The cold weather and seamer-friendly pitches have reminded him of winter in Haryana, where he has been honing his bowling skills since the age of 13. That familiarity appears to be working in his favour, with Kamboj making an impressive start to his maiden ODI assignment in New Zealand.

Coming into the playing XI as a change, Kamboj has troubled the New Zealand batters with his accuracy, disciplined line and hard lengths. He returned figures of 2/22 in the first ODI at Eden Park and followed it up with 2/25 in the second match, making an immediate impression with the ball.

"I started playing when I was 13 years old. I play for Haryana. So it's like similar kind of, what can I say, weather and wickets as well in Haryana," Kamboj told the host broadcasters.

Having grown up bowling in conditions similar to those in New Zealand, the 25-year-old has looked comfortable on the bouncy tracks…

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