Adithya Ashok of New Zealand bowls during the 2020 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup semi final match between New Zealand and Bangladesh at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom on 06 February 2020. Photo: Photosport
It's been a long grind back to the top for Adi Ashok.
The Black Cap's spinner was sidelined for almost a year with a back injury throwing his international future in doubt.
Ashok last played for his country in December 2023, before the 22-year-old had surgery on his back followed by a 10-month rehabilitation.
He would make his return for Auckland in November last year and his impressive form has earned him a recall to the Black Caps for their ODI series against Pakistan starting in Napier tomorrow.
Despite the setback, Ashok does not look back on his time away in a negative light.
"It's nice to be back and thoroughly happy to top off the summer with being back in this crew.
"It was definitely an eye-opening experience, in terms of trying to manage my body a little bit better and understand what it really needs.
"As a whole I've really grown as a person and so it's been a really cool experience that in a funny way I wouldn't really trade for anything else."
The Aces bowler said he's thriving in the Black Caps environment.
"You can't help but feel a different vibe, a different energy, which is world-class. It's such an infectious and contagious place to be in terms of everyone's got an awesome attitude.
Adithya Ashok, Blackcaps Training, McLean Park, Napier, New Zealand on Friday 28 March 2025. Photo: Kerry Marshall/www.photosport.nz
"Everyone's got an awesome wealth of knowledge and experience and you can't help but learn really."
Ashok's recall was aided by the unavailability of several Black Caps playing in the IPL.
"Any opportunity to get to play for New Zealand is one that you cherish, with the quality of players in the side, you see a lot of guys that have played for a period and a couple of new faces as well and to play against a pretty competitive Pakistan side, I think it's going to be awesome."
He is relishing the thought of taking on some of the best batters in the world such as Barba Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
"These are guys that you see floating around in the big leagues and the big ICC events.
"It'll be awesome to go toe to toe with them and really ask yourself: How do you match up against them? And pick up little tricks along the way."
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