For Adithya Ashok, the phrase "En vazhi thani vazhi" (My way is a unique way) is far more than a legendary punchline from Rajinikanth's 1999 blockbuster Padayappa. Inked in Tamil on his bowling arm, it serves as a permanent reminder of his roots and a personal philosophy as he navigates a crucial phase of his cricket career with the New Zealand national team.
A Tattoo of Memory and Values
The New Zealand leg-spinner, born in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, carries this symbol not merely as a tribute to the superstar, but as a cherished memory of his grandfather. Adithya Ashok recalls that the dialogue was playing in the background during a profound and final conversation with his grandfather in Vellore. "We were watching TV while we were speaking about it and the famous Rajini film was running in the background. That's the origin of it," Ashok explained. He describes the tattoo as a personal emblem signifying the values and morals discussed during that heartfelt talk, making it an everlasting memory.
Ashok's family emigrated to Auckland when he was four years old, seeking better job opportunities. His mother worked as a nurse at Auckland City Hospital, while his father was a radiographer at a children's hospital. Despite the move, Ashok has maintained a strong connection to his hometown, visiting Vellore every couple of years. His current tour with the Black Caps to India marks his maiden official series in the country, though he previously gained valuable experience at the Chennai Super Kings Academy in July 2025.
Building a Cricketer's Library in India
That stint in Chennai proved to be an eye-opener for the young spinner. He immersed himself in learning the subtleties of subcontinent pitches. "The things we learned were amazing," Ashok said, highlighting lessons on setting up batters and understanding different soil types. "For example, black soil, red clay and red soil and how those pitches behave were big takeaways for me. It's just kind of building my library as a cricketer, which is probably the most important thing."
Now 23, Ashok finds himself lower in the national team's spin hierarchy, behind established names like Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, and Ish Sodhi. His international journey, which began in 2023, has been hampered by a serious back injury that sidelined him for over a year. He even underwent surgery by the same surgeon who operated on India's Jasprit Bumrah. Consequently, this series represents a rare and critical opportunity for him to stake his claim.
A Rare Break and a Process-Driven Mindset
"I think that's a big thing to be around this environment and I have been really process driven," Ashok stated, focusing on growth over immediate results. "If I can go away from this series having learnt new methods or about myself as a cricketer and as a person, it will put me in a richer position." He aims to remove the weight of expectation and emotion surrounding outcomes to position himself optimally for learning and improvement.
While his time in India has educated him on local pitch behaviour, Ashok doesn't believe it gives him a distinct edge. He echoes a sentiment shared by many successful New Zealand spinners: that the unhelpful conditions back home forge greater accuracy. "Tracks in New Zealand don't assist (spinners) much. So, accuracy, air, drift, drop, all of that should definitely be there in New Zealand," he explained. The challenge in India, he notes, is adjusting to more pronounced turn and variable bounce.
As Adithya Ashok prepares to demonstrate his gifts on cricket's biggest stage, he does so guided by a Tamil phrase that connects his past to his present ambition. His path, influenced by Vellore, Auckland, and the wisdom of his grandfather, is indeed a unique one as he strives to move up the hierarchy for the Black Caps.
