Adithya Ashok: Born in Tamil Nadu, playing for New Zealand; Who is this young spinner, who will play in IND vs NZ ODI series?
Born in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, Adithya Ashok, who moved to Auckland at four, embodies a unique blend of Indian heritage and Kiwi identity. The leg spinner has already played in 2 ODIs and 1 T20I for NZ.
Last Updated: 10.28 PM, Jan 10, 2026
As the Indian top-order prepares to face the Black Caps in tomorrow's ODI series opener at the BCA Stadium, one name on the New Zealand team sheet has piqued the curiosity of local fans: Adithya Ashok. For the 23-year-old leg-spinner, this isn't just another international tour. It is a homecoming of sorts. Born in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, Ashok is the latest Indian-origin talent to don the silver fern, following in the footsteps of Ish Sodhi and Rachin Ravindra. But Ashok brings a flavor to the game that is entirely his own, quite literally.
"En vazhi thani vazhi": The tattoo and the philosophy
If you look closely at Ashok's bowling arm during his delivery stride, you’ll spot a line of Tamil script. It reads: "En vazhi thani vazhi", the legendary punchline from Rajinikanth’s blockbuster Padayappa, meaning "My way is a unique way."
The tattoo is a deeply personal tribute to his late grandfather. In a recent virtual press conference, Ashok shared the story: "We were having a conversation about values and morals at home. The television was on, and that Rajini film happened to be playing. My grandfather passed away shortly after, so it’s an everlasting memory of that conversation."
The journey: From Vellore to the CSK academy
Ashok’s family moved to Auckland when he was just four years old. While he identifies as a "Kiwi," his cricketing soul has remained connected to his roots. In a masterstroke of preparation for this series, the New Zealand board sent him to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Academy in 2025.
Under the guidance of Sriram Krishnamurthy, Ashok spent weeks learning the "dark arts" of subcontinent bowling, understanding the difference between red soil and black soil, and how to adjust his pace for Indian decks.
Overcoming a rare setback
Ashok's rise to the senior squad was almost derailed by a major back surgery in late 2023, an injury more common for express pacers than leg-spinners.
He was operated on by Rowan Schouten, the same surgeon who handled Jasprit Bumrah’s back issues.
Supported by his mentor Tarun Nethula and "big brother" figure Ish Sodhi, Ashok rebuilt his action to be more upright, protecting his spine while maintaining the "hard-spin" leg-break and square-seam slider that made him a standout in the Super Smash.
Why is he the one to watch out for?
With Ish Sodhi rested for the ODI leg of this tour, Adithya Ashok is expected to lead the spin attack in Vadodara.
His time at the CSK academy means he won't be surprised by the lack of "over-spin" bounce that New Zealand pitches provide. Unlike Sodhi, most of the Indian batters haven't faced Ashok's unique variations, which include a deceptive wrong’un.
This series opener in Vadodara marks his first-ever senior international match on Indian soil, completing a full circle for the boy from Vellore.