Anshul Kamboj explains why NZ feels like Haryana: 'Similar weather and wickets'
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 at Auckland's Eden Park and Wellington's Basin Reserve.Accuracy remains Kamboj's biggest weaponWhile the conditions have suited his style, Kamboj is not looking to rely solely on the assistance available from the pitches.
The Haryana pacer believes accuracy and adapting to the demands of the surface and match situation remain crucial to his success."It's about accuracy and the perfect line and length, according to the wicket and the situation. It's working for me right now, so I'm just focusing on that," he said.His preparation also included an India A outing, which helped him understand the conditions and identify the right lengths to bowl in New Zealand."Actually, it was just about acclimatising to the weather.
The wicket was a bit nippy, and I just wanted to understand the right lengths and the right areas where I need to bowl. I'm just focusing on that," Kamboj explained.The early returns suggest that the preparation has paid off, with his disciplined approach making him an effective option in India's pace attack.CSK stint adds to learning curveKamboj's impressive international start comes on the back of a breakthrough 2026 IPL season with Chennai Super Kings, where he picked up 21 wickets in 14 matches.The opportunity to be around Mahendra Singh Dhoni and former head coach Stephen Fleming during his CSK stint also contributed to his development.
Kamboj described the experience as an important learning phase, stressing that he continues to focus on improving rather than getting carried away by results."Actually, that was a good learning experience for me, and I'm still learning a lot. I'm just making sure that I'm learning in the right way, not thinking too much about the results, but focusing on what I need to do and what I need to do on the field as well," he said.For Kamboj, representing India has been another special milestone, particularly after years of working his way through domestic cricket."Actually, I'm excited and very happy as well, as I'm playing for my national team.
It's everyone's dream to play for their national team, so it's pretty much exciting," he said.With two impressive performances already behind him, Kamboj will look to carry his accuracy and confidence into the remainder of the New Zealand tour.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.
