Those discussions only gained momentum after the opening ODI, where Ashok delivered a moment that underlined why he was seen as one to watch. The right-arm leg-spinner accounted for India skipper Shubman Gill early in the series, a wicket that immediately put him in the spotlight against one of the most consistent batters in international cricket. He conceded 55 runs in his six overs in the match.
Ashok’s profile rose sharply. From being a relatively unknown face to Indian fans, he has quickly become a player who also turns heads off the field. Around the team hotel and training sites, Ashok is regularly stopped for selfies, a sign of how quickly recognition can follow performance in the modern game.
2:14 PM January 13, 2026
For the unversed, the BlackCaps leg-spinner made his debut for New Zealand in 2023. It came three years after representing them at the 2020 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa. Also in 2023 he achieved figures of 7 for 103 in the four-day Plunket Shield for Auckland against Northern Districts at Eden Park.
The youngster’s journey has been shaped by his exposure to high-quality environments, particularly his time at CSK, where he worked closely with experienced international players and coaching staff.
As the series moves to Rajkot, where the teams will play the second ODI at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, there is a sense of anticipation surrounding Ashok’s next outing. The visiting Kiwi side are currently trailing 0-1 in the three-match series, and Ashok will be hoping to prove his worth with a match-winning spell and draw against the Men in Blue on Wednesday.
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