[Watch] Arshdeep Singh removes Will Young for 9 to give India early edge in 1st ODI at Auckland

Arshdeep Singh gave India a flying start in the opening ODI of the five-match series against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4. The Punjab left-arm pacer removed opener Will Young in the fifth over of the New Zealand innings, with the hosts placed at 22 for 1 at the time of the dismissal.

Arshdeep’s delivery and the Shreyas Iyer catch

Footage of the moment was shared on X by Sony Sports Network, capturing both the delivery and the catch that followed. Arshdeep pitched the ball back of a length, and it climbed sharply onto Young, who went for a pull. The ball caught the top edge and ballooned towards square leg, where Shreyas Iyer moved a few paces to his right and pouched it cleanly. Young had made 9 off 11 balls, including two boundaries, before his brief stay ended.

The opening stand between Young and Tim Seifert had put on 22 runs before Arshdeep broke through. However, New Zealand were given a reprieve shortly before that wicket when Naman Dhir grassed a catch off Tim Seifert from the bowling of Auunderwayqib Nabi. That dropped chance meant the hosts had survived one scare before Arshdeep’s intervention changed the complexion of the innings.

Arshdeep’s second wicket and series context

India captain Shubman Gill had won the toss and opted to field at Eden Park, a decision taken under overcast skies that suited the seamers. The toss itself was pushed back briefly owing to rain, but conditions remained helpful for the new ball once play got underway. Arshdeep was handed the new ball and made the most of the atmosphere on offer in Auckland.

He did not settle for one wicket. In the ninth over, Arshdeep dismissed Henry Nicholls as well, with the left-handed batter picking out Naman Dhir at mid-wicket. New Zealand slipped to 40 for 2 in 8.3 overs when that second wicket fell, with Nicholls also departing for 9, leaving the hosts with a sizeable rebuilding task.

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Arshdeep’s double strike carried added significance given the series backdrop. In the three-match ODI series played in India in January 2026, he had finished as India’s leading wicket-taker with 8 wickets, yet New Zealand had claimed that series 2-1. His ODI debut had come against the same opponents on November 25, 2022, and he has remained a consistent presence in India’s white-ball attack since then.