Twenty20 world is Sodhi’s oyster
That elephant in the New Zealand dressing room is growing by the day, with Ish Sodhi the latest Black Cap to try and apply the blinkers for the looming Indian Premier League auction.
After celebrating the Knights’ Twenty20 Super Smash final win over the Stags in Hamilton, Sodhi was on a plane to Wellington the next morning for training, ahead of Monday’s first T20 international against Pakistan.
You sense Sodhi’s frustration at not getting a crack in one-day international and test cricket but for now the world’s his oyster in the shortest format.
The legspinner rocketed to No 1 on the world T20 international bowling rankings after the 2-0 win over West Indies, then helped spur the Knights to their title on Saturday with 2-15 off four overs.
Whisper it quietly, but another big reward could loom this Saturday when 25-year-old Sodhi joins 23 other New Zealanders in the IPL auction which they’ll monitor online from afar.
‘‘The best way I’ve ever heard it described is Corey Anderson saying you’re like a car being auctioned. Last year was my first time in the auction so I was a little bit more nervy and excited,’’ Sodhi said. ‘‘As you grow you realise it’s completely out of your control and you’ve got to get on with it and do your job as best you can. Results like that will come as a result of hard work.’’
Sodhi and his team-mates are right to be as low-key as possible about the potential millions of rupees that could flood their way if franchises enter a bidding war. Sodhi, Mitchell Santner and Colin Munro were among those to miss out last year and all put compelling cases in recent months in international cricket.
Sodhi’s T20 international record is remarkable. From 18 matches he has 29 wickets at an average of 14.89 and economy rate of 6.89, and his climb to the top of the rankings was matched by Munro and the Black Caps team.
After Munro became the first man to score three T20 international centuries with 104 off 53 balls against West Indies in Tauranga, he now sits above Australia’s Aaron Finch and India’s Virat Kohli on the rankings list. New Zealand, meanwhile, are narrowly ahead of Pakistan and India on the team rankings.
Sodhi said of his lofty perch: ‘‘When I got told I was No 1 in the world I could have stayed there and do what I do now and let it be, but it gave me motivation to get even better.
‘‘Putting the ranking aside, being able to contribute in all facets of the T20 game is the opportunity that I’ve got, and will help me get back into those other sides and that’s a really important goal for me. While having No 1 is a really proud achievement, there’s a lot more out there for me.’’
Fitness, fielding and batting have all been the work-ons for Sodhi from coach Mike Hesson if he’s to add to his 18 ODIs and 14 tests.
He was eager to get back into afternoon training at the Basin Reserve, alongside his T20 partner in crime Santner. The pair’s combination went up a level at the 2016 World T20 and they remain one of the best one-two punches around, with Sodhi still honing his variations.
‘‘For legspin it’s the ball that goes away, the ball that goes in and the ball that goes straight. Different pace is crucial these days. Santner’s carrom ball is amazing but the one I really enjoy watching is the slow, wide one he bowls that always seems to be on a length but inside the wide line. If I can bring that into my game I could get even better.’’
New Zealand are without rested fast bowlers Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson for game one of three, while Ross Taylor gets a T20 cameo in Wellington only.
For Pakistan the only way is up after their 5-0 ODI series whitewash, which gave New Zealand a 12th successive win at home and a hunger to extend that run.
‘‘They’re a really good team when they play with freedom and that’s what Twenty20 can do,’’ Sodhi said.