“He deserved to win the ‘Man of the Match'” – Mohammad Kaif’s huge claim after NZ vs IND 2026 1st ODI

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif made a huge claim regarding the ‘Man of the Match’ award after the first ODI against New Zealand. The Men in Blue won by five wickets in Auckland to go 1-0 up in the five-match series.

Pacer Anshul Kamboj was awarded ‘Man of the Match’ for his exceptional figures of 2/22 from ten overs. However, Mohammad Kaif reckoned that pacer Arshdeep Singh was more deserving of the award. The left-arm quick picked up four wickets, returning figures of 4/70 from ten overs.

While Arshdeep was expensive, Mohammad Kaif highlighted that he claimed important wickets at the top and set the game up. He dismissed Will Young, Henry Nicholls, and Glenn Phillips. India bowled New Zealand out for just 185 in 40.2 overs.

“Arshdeep was more impressive. He built pressure by picking wickets at the top. Anshul got wickets later on of the lower-order batters. But Arshdeep put New Zealand out of the game by picking early wickets. His two overs at the end were bad, but he took four wickets. I think he deserved to win the ‘Man of the Match’. He set the tone of the game upfront,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.

However, Kaif also lauded Kamboj for his effective bowling and skills. Further, he also urged the management to give Auqib Nabi a couple more games and back him rather than dropping him after one game, as they did previously.

“What I liked about Anshul Kamboj was his release point. The lengths that he hit and the dot balls that he bowled were because of his wrist position, that helps the ball pitch on the seam and get lateral movement. That is why he looked more effective. I would want to see Nabi in two more games. If the decision has been taken, there should not be a situation where you drop him for two games and then bring him back. It gives a confusing signal. Give enough chances before bringing someone else in.”

Nabi bowled six overs in the first ODI and went wicketless. He gave away 33 runs at an economy rate of 5.5.

Mohammad Kaif praises team management for backing young pacers

Meanwhile, Mohammad Kaif also praised the Indian team management for backing young pacers like Anshul Kamboj. Before the first ODI against New Zealand, Kamboj had a bad game. However, Kaif reckoned that young players in particular must not be judged too early.

“I always keep telling we should not judge anyone by one or two games. It is unfair. Playing in the IPL and for India has a lot of difference. I will praise the management for backing Anshul Kamboj and playing him. He was very expensive in his last ODI. We often judge too soon. But I will praise them for backing both Kamboj and Nabi. These are good calls,” he said.

It remains to be seen whether India will go into the second ODI with the same combination or make any changes. The game will be played on Saturday, November 7, in Wellington.

Edited by Rishab Vm