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Not Gautam Gambhir's India! Ravichandran Ashwin applies to join NZ dressing room

Aakash Saini

Gautam Gambhir Ravichandran Ashwin New Zealand. Image Credits: XGautam Gambhir Ravichandran Ashwin New Zealand. Image Credits: X

Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has heaped a significant praise on New Zealand amidst their ongoing away ODI series against Team India. 

Even though New Zealand lost the series-opening first ODI in Baroda earlier this week, Ashwin believed that the ‘Black Caps’ played better cricket on the day and were only undone by Harshit Rana’s all-round belligerence and Virat Kohli’s sublime 93.

The legendary Indian cricketer even claimed that he would pay to sit in New Zealand team meetings, describing them as a very “analytically driven side”.

Ravichandran Ashwin praises NZ despite first ODI defeat

Taking to his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin praised New Zealand team for being very “analytically driven”, and expressed his desire of sitting in New Zealand team meetings.

He said, “New Zealand is a very analytically driven side. I hope to sit down with them and observe their planning; I am even willing to pay money for it if needed. The way they execute their plans, I would pay to sit in their team meetings to understand how they go about it.”

Ashwin also believes that New Zealand impressed him the most in the first ODI, while India did not play its best cricket. The cricketer added that the ‘Black Caps’ were merely outplayed by Virat Kohli’s match-winning knock and Harshit Rana’s all-round exploits.

He added, “The most impressive was the New Zealand team. India didn’t play the best of cricket. There were pockets where Harshit Rana bowled really well and batted really well. Another positive was Virat Kohli, what batting!”

Virat Kohli, Harshit Rana pip NZ in high-scoring first ODI

Compatible to Ravichandran Ashwin’s claims, New Zealand team did put up a fight against a strong Indian team in the first ODI despite playing without several of their key and experienced players. Batting first, New Zealand mounted 300-8 in 50 overs courtesy of half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell and both openers.

Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj picked up two wickets apiece in the innings to headline India’s bowling charge.

In the run-chase, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill punched out majestic fifties before Harshit Rana’s cameo took India past the finish line in 49 overs.