Arshdeep Leads India's Pace Blitz as New Zealand Are Bowled Out for 185 in Auckland Opener

India's pace bowlers ran through New Zealand for just 185 in the first one-day international at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday, giving the tourists a flying start to the five-match series. Captain Shubman Gill won a toss delayed 20 minutes by a passing shower and chose to bowl first under overcast skies, and his seamers made the decision pay handsomely. Arshdeep Singh led the attack with four wickets for 70 runs, striking twice in the opening powerplay by removing Will Young and Henry Nicholls for nine runs each. Gurnoor Brar claimed three for 44, including a spectacular one-handed return catch to dismiss captain Tom Latham for three, while Anshul Kamboj returned outstanding figures of two for 22 from his 10 overs, including two maidens. New Zealand slipped to 115 for seven as wickets fell at regular intervals, and only Tim Seifert, with 38, and a late flurry from Blair Tickner, who made 34, spared the hosts complete embarrassment. Brar ended the resistance in the 41st over to wrap up the innings at 185 in 40.2 overs. The match marked the return of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Gill to India's ODI side after they sat out the preceding T20 series, which India won 3-2, while New Zealand were already without the injured Devon Conway, Mark Chapman and Rachin Ravindra. India began their reply chasing 186 for a series lead.