New Zealand all-rounder Ish Sodhi found himself at the center of an unexpected and benevolent incident.
Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner has emerged as New Zealand's trump card in the ongoing World Twenty20 but his bowling partner Ish Sodhi said it is not fair to compare him to the talismanic Daniel Vettori as both are completely different despite similar styles. Santner has grabbed eight wickets in three matches so far and has played a key role in New Zealand's smooth unbeaten march into the semifinals. "He (Vettori) was a fantastic bowler in his own right. But I think they are completely different bowlers. Santner is being himself as much as he can at the moment and it's working really well for him. For us to have his voice when we need it is really nice," Santner told reporters on the eve of the team's match against Bangladesh in Kolkata. Decoding the secret of Santner's success, Sodhi said the left-arm spinner's ability to use his wrist well makes him a difficult proposition in the spin-friendly Indian conditions. "He's a finger spinner but he puts a lot of wrist like leg-spin bowling. He puts lot of wrists on the ball. You have to do that with our conditions as it's not very conducive to spin, so you have to get something out of the wicket. I think he's a product of that.
Sodhi has represented Royals in eight IPL matches, taking nine wickets at an economy rate of 6.69.
New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy is set to make his Twenty20 World Cup debut next month after being picked in the 15-member squad led by Mitchell Santner.
While his best figures read 6/39, he also has two fifers to his name. He has an average of 30.71 and an economy of 5.37.
New Zealand will aim to secure their spot in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup when they face Canada, while also looking to address weaknesses exposed in their previous match against South Africa.
New Zealand aims to regain their form against a formidable Afghanistan in their opening Group D match of the ICC T20 World Cup. Key players and strategies are under scrutiny as both teams seek a strong start in the tournament.
Kane Williamson is unavailable for ODI selection due to his commitments in the SA20 league.
Ishan Kishan smashed a 42-ball hundred as India showcased their batting firepower ahead of next month's Twenty20 World Cup, beating New Zealand by 46 runs in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday to seal a 4-1 series win.
Mitchell Santner explains his defensive T20I blueprint after a match-winning 3/26 against India in Visakhapatnam, detailing how pressure, match-ups and key wickets powered New Zealand's 50-run win.
India will be hoping for a positive turn in their spinners' performance while attempting to extend the total domination over New Zealand to the fourth T20I in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
Kishan's statement knock, Surya's welcome fifty give India 2-0 lead
A look at five possible mouth-watering match-ups in the upcoming India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup in Colombo on Sunday.
New Zealand aims to solidify their Group D lead with a victory against the United Arab Emirates in their T20 World Cup match, following a win against Afghanistan. The Kiwis will look for strong performances from Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra, while the UAE seeks to gain experience against a top team.
Shivam Dube shows he's no longer just a spin basher as smarter mindset fuels growing comfort against pace.
Walking in with the run rate climbing, Shivam Dube launched a stunning counterattack that briefly swung the momentum in India's favour.
Vellore-born NZ spinner Adithya Ashok keen to put India knowledge to test in ODIs
New Zealand and South Africa, both undefeated, will compete for the top spot in their T20 World Cup group in a match that could determine momentum heading into the Super 8s.
In the fifth T20I against New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram, Ishan Kishan produced an innings that may well have changed the course of his career.
Ishan Kishan's thrill-a-second maiden T20I hundred compensated for Sanju Samson's familiar failure, and the knock in conjunction with Arshdeep Singh's fifer scripted India's 46-run romp over New Zealand in the fifth and final match in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.
A preview of Group D in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, featuring South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates.
Sanju Samson seeks revival with home support as India manage injuries and combinations against New Zealand in the final T20I before the World Cup.
Ishan Kishan's sensational comeback and Sanju Samson's inconsistent displays with the bat will reignite debate over who should be Abhishek Sharma's preferred opening partner.
Abhishek Sharma's pyrotechnics followed a now familiar script with India out-batting New Zealand by 48 runs in the opening T20 International in Nagpur on Wednesday.
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title. The 10th edition of the 20-overs global showpiece event will run from February 7 to March 8.
Shivam Dube flickered brightly with a fifty of exceptional quality but it was insufficient to prevent India's 50-run defeat against New Zealand in the fourth T20 International.
Kyle Jamieson, who had defended 16 in the previous game, once again rose to the occasion, keeping his composure in the final over to seal victory for the hosts.
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title in familiar home conditions next month.
India vs New Zealand, 3rd T20, Guwahati: Abhishek blitz hands India series win
Spinner Ish Sodhi recorded the most economical figures in New Zealand men's domestic cricket on Monday with his 2/5 from his four overs securing a six-wicket victory for Northern Brave over Auckland Aces in the Super Smash Twenty20 competition.
How Mumbai Maidan coach Patwal's tough-love sessions gave Harmer his second wind
He joins Tim Southee (343 wickets) and Ish Sodhi (310) as the only New Zealanders to reach the 300-wicket milestone in T20s.
Devon Conway's unbeaten 92-run knock followed by a sublime bowling performance by Ish Sodhi propelled New Zealand to a massive 66-run win against Bangladesh
NZ hand young talent contracts as big guns remain casual
New Zealand will be banking on injured pace bowlers Trent Boult (hand), Matt Henry (thumb) and Lockie Ferguson (calf) coming back into contention for the Tests
'As a cricketer, in the last few years, we lost out on a few games which we could have potentially played. Yes, if we could sneak in a few matches, it would be great.'
Leggie Ish Sodhi will replaced the injured Todd Astle in New Zealand's squad for the three-match One-Day International series against India, commencing in Mumbai on October 22.
Jasprit Bumrah has viral; Mitchell Santner has a side strain.
Kyle Jamieson also returns to the squad after back surgery in February in a pace attack which includes captain Tim Southee and Matt Henry, who has recovered from injury.
Kane Williamson is a doubt for the Test series against India due to a groin injury sustained in the second Test against Sri Lanka.
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