Born in Tamil Nadu, Trained at CSK Academy, Adithya Ashok Aims to Challenge Team India

The much-anticipated 3-match ODI series between India and New Zealand is set to begin on Sunday, 11 January, with the opening match in Vadodara. Both teams have been training rigorously ahead of the series. Notably, New Zealand’s squad features a player born in India — 23-year-old leg-spinner Adithya Ashok.

Who is Adithya Ashok?
Adithya Ashok was born on 5 September 2002 in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. At the age of four, he moved to New Zealand with his family but has always stayed connected to his Indian roots, especially his early memories with his grandfather.

Training at CSK Academy
Despite moving abroad, Ashok frequently visits India. Last year, he had a special opportunity to train at the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Academy, where he honed his skills on various types of pitches.

Early Career and International Debut
Ashok began playing cricket at the age of five alongside his father. He represented New Zealand in the Under-19 World Cup and made his ODI and T20 debuts for the senior New Zealand team in 2023. So far, he has played 2 ODIs and 1 T20, claiming one wicket in each format.

Domestic Career
In domestic cricket, Adithya Ashok has played 17 first-class, 32 List-A, and 29 T20 matches. He has taken 60 wickets in first-class cricket, 41 in List-A, and 34 in T20s, maintaining a strong bowling economy. Notably, his T20 economy rate in domestic cricket stands at an impressive 7.42.

As the India-New Zealand series kicks off, all eyes will be on Adithya Ashok — the young Indian-born leg-spinner aiming to make an impact against his country of birth.