Published: Jan 29, 2019, 01:23 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 29, 2019, 01:10 PM (IST)
Todd Astle, who along with Jimmy Neesham, was called into the New Zealand squad for the last two ODIs against India, said that he is “gutted” not to bowl against the Indian skipper Virat Kohli. (ALSO READ: Jimmy Neesham, Todd Astle back in New Zealand ODI squad)
While Kohli was initially a part of the squad for the entire ODI series, Indian selectors decided to rest him – citing “his workload in the last few months” – for the final two ODIs and the following three-match Twenty20I series against the Kane Williamson-led Kiwi side. (ALSO READ: Virat Kohli to be rested for last two ODIs and T20I series against New Zealand, Rohit Sharma named captain)
While India, having already won the ODI series with two games to spare, may not miss Kohli’s services dearly, Astle rued the missed opportunity to bowl against Kohli.
“I was actually gutted [not to play Kohli], I have loved watching him play the last decade,” Astle was quoted as saying by 1 News Now.
“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,” added Astle. (ALSO READ: Things in the Indian camp are more or less running in auto mode for us: Virat Kohli)
The leg-spinner, however, said that the Indian team is full of “rockstars” and it will be a good chance for him to see where stands and where he needs to improve.
“Having said that their whole line-up is jam packed with rock stars, so it will be a chance to see how you go and then from that where you can make those improvements,” concluded Astle.
The fourth match of the five-match ODI series will be played on January 31 in Hamilton while the final ODI is scheduled to take place in Wellington on February 3. The T20I series kicks off on February 6 in Wellington.
