NZ vs SA 2026: Ish Sodhi ruled out of remainder T20I series with broken thumb

Ish Sodhi (Source: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Ish Sodhi, the leg-spinner of New Zealand, has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20I series against South Africa after suffering a broken thumb. Sodhi sustained the injury during a training session ahead of the opening match in Mount Maunganui, and scans later confirmed a fracture that will require around four weeks of rehabilitation.

With Lockie Ferguson set to join the squad for the second and third matches in Hamilton and Auckland, the selectors have decided not to name a replacement. Instead, they have backed Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie to handle the spin responsibilities for the remainder of the series.

“Ish is very passionate about playing for New Zealand and we know he was looking forward to turning out in front of home fans after the World Cup campaign. He is hugely experienced in the T20 format and so will be a big miss for the remainder of the series,” said head coach Rob Walter as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“We’re confident with Lockie coming in, as well as Mitch and Cole that we have appropriate cover for the next two matches, before the squad transitions for the last two matches,” he added.

Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver, Jayden Lennox, and Tom Latham will join the New Zealand squad for the final two matches of the T20I series against South Africa, with Latham set to take over the captaincy from Mitchell Santner.

New Zealand were comfortably beaten in the opening match after being bowled out for just 91 runs. The South African bowlers dominated proceedings, putting the Kiwi batters under pressure and dismissing them cheaply. James Neesham was the top scorer for New Zealand with 26 runs.

For South Africa, Nqobani Mokoena delivered an impressive spell, finishing with 3/26, while Gerald Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman, and Keshav Maharaj claimed two wickets each.

In reply, South Africa chased down the target comfortably in 16.4 overs. Connor Esterhuizen top-scored with an unbeaten 45* to guide his side to victory. For New Zealand, three bowlers managed to pick up a wicket each, but the modest total meant the bowlers had little to defend as South Africa secured a comfortable win.