Adithya Ashok, the 23-year-old New Zealand leg-spinner born in Vellore, is preparing to test his intimate knowledge of Indian conditions in the upcoming three-match ODI series. The series begins in Baroda on January 11, offering Ashok a unique stage in his country of birth.
From Vellore to Black Caps: A Journey Rooted in Tamil Nadu
Ashok moved to New Zealand with his family at the age of four, but his connection to Tamil Nadu remains profound. He shared a close bond with his grandfather, a relationship he honors with a Tamil tattoo on his bowling arm that reads 'En vazhi thani vazhi' (my way is a unique way). This phrase, from a Rajinikanth film they watched together, symbolizes his personal and cricketing path.
CSK Academy Stint: Building a 'Library' for Indian Pitches
Last year, a pivotal opportunity came when New Zealand Cricket sent him to train at the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Academy in Chennai. This experience provided him with a crucial base understanding of the subcontinent's playing surfaces, which are markedly different from the pace-friendly pitches in New Zealand.
"The things that we learned there were amazing," Ashok remarked in a virtual media interaction. He highlighted learning about the behavior of black soil and red soil pitches, knowledge essential for setting up batters. "It's just kind of building my library as a cricketer which is probably the most important thing," he added. While facing stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, this 'library' will be his key reference.
Mentors and Inspiration: Warne, Sodhi, and Nethula
While Shane Warne remains his ultimate role model, Ashok credits Indian-origin New Zealand spinners Ish Sodhi and Tarun Nethula for their guidance. He calls Sodhi a "big brother" figure he watched growing up and acknowledges Nethula as his current mentor. Another pillar of support has been former cricketer Paul Wiseman, who stood by him during a challenging back injury that required surgery.
Ashok views the upcoming ODI series not as a guaranteed success but as a chance to apply his accumulated experience. The three ODIs in India represent more than just games; they are a homecoming and a rich learning opportunity for the young spinner aspiring to play Test cricket and make his mark on the world stage.
