A low-key tri-series in Harare has turned into a string of personal landmarks for Ish Sodhi. Match one was his 200th international; match two brought his 150th T20I wicket – only Tim Southee and Rashid Khan have reached that mark in men’s cricket. One more outing and he becomes New Zealand’s most-capped T20I player, edging ahead of Southee on 126 appearances.
All this comes while the 32-year-old leg-spinner is – officially at least – off the national contract list. Rising tweaker Adi Ashok claimed the last central deal, yet new head coach Rob Walter has made it clear Sodhi remains central to his short-format plans. A decent endorsement, given New Zealand are already mapping the route to the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
“It’s really nice. I’m really proud of the achievement. To get 150 wickets in a format for your country, obviously you have to play for a long period of time to be able to do that. It’s something I’m really proud of and hopefully there’s a lot more on the bank.”
Facts first
• 200th international appearance – v South Africa, Harare
• Career-best T20I figures – 4 for 12 v Zimbabwe
• 150 T20I wickets – third man to the mark
• Next up – most T20Is for New Zealand (currently 126)
Born in Ludhiana, raised in Auckland, Sodhi broke through after catching Daniel Vettori’s eye at an age-group trial. He debuted in 2013 and, by his own admission, never expected the ride to last this long.
“It has been an incredible journey,” Sodhi said. “I think something came out of the other, I think I debuted in 2013. I think my first ODI was here in Harare. It’s nice to be here and still being able to perform for New Zealand. Hopefully it’s something I can still do for a time to come.”
The coach’s view
Walter, new in the job, likes what he sees: “Ish offers experience but still wants to learn. That’s rare. We’ll lean on him in the next cycle.” A short statement, yet telling. With Mitchell Santner captaining and Michael Bracewell fit again, New Zealand have the makings of a three-pronged spin unit that covers every phase of a T20 innings.
Role reboot
Sodhi’s powerplay experiments are part of that vision. In this series he has taken the new ball twice – something he last tried in 2021 – and returned figures of 2-0-5-3 against Zimbabwe after the hosts flew to 21-0. Bowling in the first six overs, when only two fielders can patrol the deep, is risky for a leg-spinner. The reward, though, is early wickets and control of the scoring rate.
“It’s quite a new role for me and I’m enjoying the challenge,” he admitted to local radio after Thursday’s game. The numbers back him up: economy 2.50 in the powerplay so far, well under his career rate.
Uncontracted, not unmotivated
The missing contract has raised eyebrows back home, yet Sodhi insists the silver fern remains his driving force.
“There’s always incentive to win games for your country, I like playing international cricket,” he said. “Growing up, it’s the only thing I ever wanted to do and I think it’s probably the same for all the guys that are in there now. International cricket is really special. You pop the fern on, certainly things you dreamed of in the backyard growing up playing. Any game for New Zealand, there’s always motivation out there to be playing your best.”
Context matters. The 2024 World Cup in the Caribbean was a dud for player and team. Sodhi featured once in spin-friendly conditions and New Zealand bowed out early. Reinvention became essential, hence the push into the powerplay and an emphasis on tighter lines – fewer googlies, more stock leg-breaks, as one analyst put it – to suit modern conditions.
Balanced outlook
Former Black Cap Grant Elliott, working on television, summed it up neatly: “He’s 32, not 22, but spinners age differently. If he keeps learning, he could be around for two more World Cups.”
Setbacks will come, runs will be leaked, and selections may fluctuate. Yet, for now, Sodhi is back in the side, tallying numbers that matter and reminding selectors that central contracts measure cost, not always value.
Next assignment
The tri-series final against South Africa provides another chance. Win or lose, Sodhi’s name will sit alone atop New Zealand’s T20I appearances column. It’s a small footnote in a quiet Zimbabwean winter, but one worth recording – messy, imperfect, perhaps – much like the journey that brought him here.
