New Zealand vs India: Despite returning to the team, Todd Astle is not happy

New Zealand were struck by lightning even before they could blink in the ongoing ODI series, thanks to superior performance by India. The Black Caps, who defeated Pakistan in an away Test series and decimated Sri Lanka 3-0 in a limited-overs series at home recently, have lost all the three ODIs against India till now to concede the series. The lack of fight from the Kiwis who are ranked just a slot below India in the ICC’s table surprised a lot of fans.

The home team went for some changes after the thrashing and recalled all-rounder James Neesham and leg-spinner Todd Astle in places of Doug Bracewell and Ish Sodhi for the final two ODIs. Astle, 32, featured in the ODI squad that played against Pakistan last November but was ruled out before the first game with a knee injury.

Having made his international debut (Test) in 2012, Astle has played in only three long format games, six ODIs and two T20Is with a tally of 11 wickets. He last featured for New Zealand in March 2018 and it was in a Test match against England.

Though Astle is eventually set to play for his country again, he is disappointed that he would not be able to bowl to the Indian captain Virat Kohli who will no more feature in the tour as he has been rested by the selectors following a heavy workload. “I was actually gutted [not to play Kohli], I have loved watching him play the last decade,” Astle was quoted as saying by India TV

Astle looks forward to his duel with Indian batsmen

The leg-spinner also said that even though he admires the Indian captain a lot, he would still like to test himself against the other big names in the visitors’ powerful batting line-up. India have been propelled by their batters in the series as they won the three matches by 8 wickets, 90 runs and 7 wickets, respectively.

“He has been someone that I really admire, so to not come up against him, I think that little childhood boy inside of me was a little bit gutted, you want to test yourself against the best,” Todd Astle, son of former Kiwi domestic cricketer Alec Astle further said. The bowler is currently playing for Canterbury in the domestic T20 tournament Super Smash, picking up two wickets in as many games.

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