Goa, Nov. 4 -- India's opening ODI against New Zealand felt less like 2026 and more like a throwback to a bygone era of seam bowling. On a spongy pitch in Auckland, India's quicks bowled New Zealand out for 185 in 40.2 overs, led by a shrewd 4 for 70 from Arshdeep Singh and a economical 2 for 22 from Anshul Kamboj in 10 overs.

The conditions rewarded short, zippy bowling, and India's seamers leaned into it. Arshdeep, bowling five of the first nine overs, mixed lengths with deceptive ease - ambiling in as ever before whipping the wrists at the last instant to bang the ball down short. Shane Bond, on air, broke down his release action, and Arshdeep watched from the boundary, mimicking the wrist motion for the cameras.

New Zealand's battin...