IND vs NZ 2026: CSK fans surround Adithya Ashok for selfies ahead of Rajkot ODI

New Zealand leg-spinner Adithya Ashok had his name make several rounds on the internet after playing his maiden game on the soil of his birth. A little while back, he was spotted training at the Chennai Super Kings’ academy in Chennai, which caught widespread attention of the faithfuls of IPL’s five-time champions.

Those discussions only gathered pace after the opening ODI, where Ashok delivered a moment that underlined why he has been viewed as one to watch. The right-arm leg-spinner accounted for India skipper Shubman Gill early in the series, a wicket that instantly placed 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 unfamiliar face to Indian fans, he has quickly become a player drawing attention off the field as well. Around the team hotel and training venues, Ashok has found himself stopped regularly for selfies, a sign of how swiftly recognition can follow performance in the modern game.

For the unversed, the BlackCaps’ leg-spinner made his debut for New Zealand in 2023. It came three years after he had represented them at the 2020 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa. Also in 2023, he bagged 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 around the CSK setup, where he worked closely with experienced international players and coaching staff.

As the series moves to Rajkot, where the teams play the second ODI at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, there is a sense of anticipation surrounding Ashok’s next outing. The visiting Kiwi side is currently trailing 0-1 in the three-match series, and Ashok will be hoping to prove his worth with a match-winning spell on Wednesday and draw levels against the Men in Blue.