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South Africa national cricket team Lead 1–0 as Ish Sodhi Injury Hits New Zealand national cricket team
Ish Sodhi ruled out: New Zealand's star leg-spinner Ish Sodhi has been ruled out of the T20I series against South Africa due to a broken thumb.
A five-match T20 International series is currently underway between South Africa and New Zealand. Currently, South Africa is leading 1-0 in the series, having won the first game. But before the second game, New Zealand, being the home side, suffered a major blow. Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi has been ruled out of the series due to a broken thumb. Sodhi suffered the injury while bowling during a training session at Bay Oval on Saturday, March 14. Scans confirmed a broken thumb, forcing him out of the series. He will need at least four weeks of rest.
It should be noted that Ish Sodhi did not play in the first T20I match. South Africa defeated New Zealand by seven wickets in that match. Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie handled the spin bowling duties. The Kiwis have decided not to replace Sodhi. Lockie Ferguson has joined the team for the second and third matches. The hosts believe they have sufficient availability.
Kayton Clarke (Matches 4, 5), wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver (Matches 4-5), and Jaden Lennox (Matches 4-5). In Santner's absence, Tom Latham will captain the team in the final two matches. Coach Rob Walter said, "Ish is very passionate about playing for New Zealand, and we know he was eagerly awaiting his return to play in front of his home fans after the 2026 T20 World Cup campaign. He will be greatly missed in the remaining matches of the series."
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Sodhi, the fourth-highest wicket-taker in T20Is, played three matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup. He bowled twice, but went wicketless in both matches. New Zealand will play the second match of the five-match series against South Africa on Tuesday, March 17.
New Zealand's updated squad: Mitchell Santner (captain) (Matches 1-3), Keaton Clarke (Matches 4, 5), Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver (wicketkeeper, Matches 4-5), Devon Conway (wicketkeeper) (Matches 1-3), Lockie Ferguson (Matches 2-3), Jack Foakes, Bevan Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper, captain for Matches 4, 5), Jaden Lennox (Matches 4-5), Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith.
