Sodhi grabs headlines after Big Bash ‘master class’ effort
Black Caps spinner Ish Sodhi could be set for bigger things in T20 after his ‘‘master class’’ effort in the Big Bash snared headlines around the world.
With the Indian Premier League auction looming, leggie Sodhi declared himself in the elite league of T20 spinners on Wednesday with a stunning 6-11 to lead the Adelaide Strikes to a big win over the Sydney Thunder.
It was the best figures by a Strikers bowler and the second best in the history of the BBL behind Lasith Malinga’s 6-7 in 2012.
Sodhi’s effort captured plenty of international attention.
The Times of India reported: ‘‘The Sydney Thunder batsmen were left clueless as Ish Sodhi weaved circles around them to claim his best figures in any Twenty20 game.’’
They said after a good start to the Sixers innings, Sodhi’s arrival at the bowling crease ‘‘ushered in chaos’’ as he ‘‘wouldn’t stop making inroads’’.
Indian website Sportstar labelled Sodhi’s 21-ball spell as ‘‘magnificent’’ and Sydney Daily Telegraph used the term ‘master class’’ to cover off his heroics.
Cricinfo described Sodhi’s bowling as ‘‘beguiling’’ and highlighted his duel with West Indies star Carlos Braithwaite who used a green bat.
‘‘The bat didn’t do much damage, knocking just one single before he was done all ends up by Sodhi’s dip and turn, heaving wildly and missing by miles. Three balls later, Sodhi deceived Ben Rohrer, bowling him through a wildly unlatched gate. In his following over, Thunder lost three wickets in four balls to seal the deal. It was a mighty skilful showing from Sodhi.’’
The win couldn’t help Adelaide into the playoffs but it may have helped Sodhi’s blossoming career. There is sure to be growing interest in his skills from the lucrative T20 leagues around the world.
He played three games for Adelaide after his late call-up and took nine wickets at a cost of just 70 runs.
Sodhi himself was modest after the match.
‘‘I was pretty gutted that I couldn’t win it for the boys in the pretty last couple of games, but to finish on a high here is satisfying,’’ Sodhi said. ’’This was a dead rubber match, but a massive shout out to the Strikers, they’ve rejuvenated by love for the game over the last 8-10 days. I really wish I could have done this a lot earlier.’’
The 24-year-old has played 12 T20s for the Black Caps, snaring 21 wickets at an average of 14.47 with an economy rate of 6.80 runs per over. His efforts for the Strikers came off two hot T20 performances for the Black Caps in their wins over Bangladesh where he took 3-36 and 2-22.
Sodhi hoped his Big Bash experience could set up the rest of his summer as New Zealand face a busy schedule against Australia and South Africa once the Bangladesh test series is over.
‘‘The boys have rejuvenated my love for the game,’’ Sodhi said of his brief time in Adelaide.
‘‘On the field and off it, just the conversations I had with guys like Brad Hodge. Today I got to meet one of my heroes growing up, Stuart MacGill, and you can’t put a price on that. I will take some great experiences back home with me and hopefully I can impact some of my team-mates.
‘‘I had faced a few setbacks at home, and I wasn’t in the form I wanted to be in. I got it back in the T20s for New Zealand and I’m glad that I have transferred it to performances in the BBL. I don’t know if I’ll be back next year - it’s quite unfortunate that our seasons clash so heavily. I love it here though - if I get the chance again, if it is next year or five years time, I’ll be happy.’’
Sodhi was particularly happy to have spent time with MacGill, the former Australian legspinner.
‘‘He spoke a lot about repetition. Growing up, if you liked legspin, you loved watching MacGill bowl, Shane Warne, Anil Kumble, those guys. Just to sit down with him was inspiring. He didn’t have to say much - he did tell me a lot, which was great - but just being in his presence was amazing.
‘‘He’s a guy who gave me something to look up to when I was younger and something to look forward to. He taught me a lot and hopefully I can continue to make him proud.’’