Who is Adithya Ashok? All you need to know about Indian-born player added in New Zealand's ODI squad

Leg-spinner Adithya Ashok made his T20I debut for New Zealand against UAE in August 2023.

As Rachin Ravindra garnered a lot of success for New Zealand cricket recently in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, there’s another young prodigy of Indian origin breaking through the ranks in New Zealand cricket. 21-year-old leg-spinner from Auckland, Adithya Ashok has earned his maiden ODI call-up in the Blackcaps squad and he will be joining the camp for the final two ODI games against Bangladesh in a three-match ODI series. 

Adithya Ashok has been a wonderful performer for Auckland in the New Zealand domestic circuit and also represented the New Zealand Under-19 side in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2020 in South Africa. Adithya has also made his international debut as he represented New Zealand in a T20I game played against UAE in Dubai. Adithya bowled a brilliant spell of 1/28 in 4 overs. Ashok will be filling in for Ish Sodhi who will take a break. 

Who is Adithya Ashok?

Adithya Ashok was born in September 2002 in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. His family moved to Auckland for better opportunities in 2006 when Adithya was just 4 years old. After moving to New Zealand, Adithya’s love and passion for cricket began at the age of 5. He began liking the game of cricket at a very early age all thanks to his dad who was also a big admirer of the sport. Adthya revealed that his father threw him some balls in the backyard and that started his journey. 

Adithya Ashok began his journey as a cricketer and joined Mount Albert Grammar School in Auckland. Soon he found a mentor in Tom Sail who took care of him. Adithya Ashok was just 17 when earned an Under-19 call-up from New Zealand cricket. Adithya went on to play 5 games in the U19 World Cup in South Africa and picked up 4 wickets. His best figures in the tournament were 3/38. New Zealand finished 4th and played in the semi-final.

Adithya Ashok has played 10 first-class games for Auckland so far and picked up 36 wickets. This looks impressive considering the weather and conditions not suitable for leg-spinners in New Zealand. He picked up 26 List-A wickets in 20 games while 22 wickets in 20 T20 games for his domestic side Auckland. Adithya will join the Kiwi squad in Nelson before 20th December and he is in line to make his ODI debut against Bangladesh later this month.

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