Ish Sodhi Out for T20I Series Against South Africa Due to Injury
Synopsis
New Zealand's Ish Sodhi will miss the rest of the T20I series against South Africa after suffering a broken thumb during training. Coach Rob Walter expresses confidence in the team's depth despite the loss of their experienced spinner.
Key Takeaways
Ish Sodhi out of T20I series due to injury.
Rehabilitation period expected to be four weeks .
No replacement named, but Lockie Ferguson joins the squad.
New Zealand's spin options include Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie .
South Africa leads the series 1-0.
Hamilton, March 16 (NationPress) New Zealand's cricket team faces a setback as spinner Ish Sodhi has been sidelined for the rest of the T20I series against South Africa due to a broken thumb.
Sodhi sustained the injury during a training session on Saturday, and subsequent scans confirmed a fracture that requires a rehabilitation period of approximately four weeks.
This injury means the right-arm spinner, who participated in three matches at the recent ICC Men's T20 World Cup, will miss the remaining matches in the home series against South Africa.
As of now, New Zealand has not appointed a replacement for Sodhi, but fast bowler Lockie Ferguson will join the squad for the second and third matches of the series, following a convincing seven-wicket win by South Africa in the opening game in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.
This situation leaves Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie as the primary spin options in New Zealand's lineup, and head coach Rob Walter is optimistic about their ability to fill in for Sodhi.
“Ish has a strong passion for representing New Zealand, and we know he was eager to play in front of home supporters after the (T20) World Cup,” Walter commented.
“His vast experience in the T20 format will certainly be missed during the remainder of the series.
“With Lockie's inclusion, along with Mitch and Cole, we feel confident in our depth to manage the next two matches before adjustments are made for the final two games.”
In the first T20I match, South Africa showcased a strong bowling performance, paired with a careful batting approach, leading to a decisive seven-wicket victory over New Zealand.
Chasing a modest target of 92, South Africa successfully reached 92/3 in just 16.4 overs, with Connor Esterhuizen anchoring the innings with a solid 35 not out off 44 balls. The right-hander fittingly concluded the match with a six off Kyle Jamieson, granting the visitors a 1-0 lead in the series.
New Zealand squad:
Mitchell Santner (c), Katene Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver (wk), Devon Conway (wk), Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (wk), Jayden Lennox, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith
Point of View
The sidelining of Ish Sodhi due to injury is a significant moment for New Zealand's cricket team. The loss of a key player like Sodhi could impact their performance against a strong South African side, but the team's depth may mitigate this setback.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Ish Sodhi?
Ish Sodhi has been ruled out of the T20I series against South Africa due to a broken thumb sustained during training.
How long will Ish Sodhi be out?
Sodhi is expected to undergo rehabilitation for approximately four weeks.
Who will replace Ish Sodhi?
New Zealand has not named a direct replacement for Sodhi, but Lockie Ferguson will join the squad for the upcoming matches.
What is the current status of the T20I series?
South Africa leads the series 1-0 after winning the first T20I match.
Who are the main spin options left for New Zealand?
Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie are the primary spin options available for New Zealand.
