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Ish Sodhi is a talented leg-spinner with flair , whose international career has followed a somewhat mixed trajectory. Despite early challenges, Sodhi has begun to realize the potential that was evident early in his career . He was fast-tracked into the national setup, making his Test debut at just 19 , with minimal First-class experience. As a non-Asian spinner—particularly a New Zealander—Sodhi faced the challenge of bowling on home pitches that offered very little assistance for spin . While a few surfaces were slower, genuine turn was often hard to come by. Despite these tough conditions, Sodhi showed resilience and steady improvement, although his inconsistent length and lack of experience initially limited his effectiveness, especially in the subcontinent. By late 2014 , after a string of underwhelming red-ball performances, the selectors shifted focus and dropped him from the Test squad . However, his domestic form in limited-overs cricket told a different story, highlighting his greater impact in the shorter formats . This transition was solidified when he made his ODI debut in 2015 . A turning point came in the 2016 ICC World T20 , where Sodhi, alongside Mitchell Santner, played a key role in New Zealand's campaign. Their performance, particularly on a turning track against India , earned widespread praise and marked a new chapter in Sodhi's white-ball career. Born in Punjab, India, Sodhi moved to New Zealand at a young age, where he pursued cricket from the grassroots. As a wrist-spinner in an era dominated by batting-friendly pitches and two new balls in ODIs, he offered a valuable point of difference in New Zealand’s bowling arsenal. While finger spinners have struggled in modern white-ball formats, Sodhi’s ability to turn the ball and vary his pace kept him relevant. Thanks to consistent backing from selectors and his growing experience through various global T20 leagues , Sodhi has established himself as a vital component of New Zealand’s limited-overs setup , focusing on refining his craft and maintaining consistency in his lengths.
