R Ashwin Praises New Zealand's Resilience and Strategy in ODI Match

In a recent analysis, former Indian cricketer R Ashwin praised the New Zealand team's strategic approach and resilience during their ODI match against India. He highlighted their strong planning and execution, which kept India under pressure throughout the game. Ashwin also noted the impressive performances of players like KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, emphasizing the importance of discipline and effective strategies in cricket. This commentary sheds light on the evolving dynamics of international cricket and the strengths of the New Zealand team.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 13, 2026, 20:58 IST

Ashwin's Insights on New Zealand's Approach

Former Indian cricket star R Ashwin is once again in the spotlight for his candid analysis. This time, he has openly commended the New Zealand team's fighting spirit and their meticulous match preparation. Ashwin expressed a desire to closely observe the planning sessions of the Kiwi squad, highlighting their strategic depth.

In the first ODI held in Vadodara, New Zealand, despite fielding a relatively inexperienced side, posed a significant challenge to India. Batting first, they set a formidable target of 300 runs, keeping the Indian team under pressure until the final overs. Ultimately, KL Rahul's unbeaten innings secured a victory for India in the 49th over.

Notably, in 2024, New Zealand stunned the cricketing world by sweeping India 3-0 in a home Test series, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Indian Test team. Discussing this on his YouTube channel, Ashwin noted that New Zealand is among the few teams that play data-driven cricket, effectively implementing their strategies on the field.

Ashwin also acknowledged that New Zealand outperformed India in the first ODI. He pointed out that while the Indian team's performance lacked balance, key players managed to shift the game's momentum at crucial moments. He particularly praised the contributions of young all-rounder Harshit Rana and the exceptional batting display by Virat Kohli, describing Kohli's 93-run innings as a prime example of technique, footwork, and confidence.

The former spinner believes that even though New Zealand may not have big names in every department, their discipline, fielding, and effective execution of plans enable them to compete against any strong team, which he considers their true strength.