Hours after India took an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match ODI rubber, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Monday recalled all-rounder James Neesham and leg-spinner Todd Astle while dropping Doug Bracewell and Ish Sodhi for the final two One-day Internationals.
Astle was picked for the ODIs against Pakistan in November but was ruled out before the first match with a knee injury.
After being selected to play against India, Astle has revealed that he is disappointed that he wouldn't get a chance to bowl against Indian superstar Virat Kohli.
"I was actually gutted [not to play Kohli], I have loved watching him play the last decade," said Astle to reporters at Christchurch airport.
Kohli has been rested for the fourth and fifth ODI against New Zealand and the subsequent T20I series, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Wednesday.
The Board said that the decision was made after considering Kohli's workload in the last few months.
Astle further added that he admires the Indian skipper a lot, but he still wants to test himself against the rest of the stars in the opposition batting line-up.
"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," Astle said.
"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."
A formidable Indian team completely dominated an out of sorts New Zealand for a series-clinching seven-wicket win in the third ODI, continuing to send a resounding message of its near invincibility to every World Cup opposition.
With an unassailable lead in the five-match series, skipper Virat Kohli signed off his tour Down Under on a high with a first ODI series win in New Zealand in 10 years.
(With IANS/PTI inputs)
