Full Name: Inderbir Singh Sodhi Date of Birth: October 31, 1992 Place of Birth: Ludhiana, Punjab, India (raised in Auckland, New Zealand) Role: Leg-Spinner Wearing jersey number 61, Ish Sodhi brings a unique flavor to New Zealand cricket—one that fuses South Asian artistry with Kiwi resilience. Born in Ludhiana, India, and raised in South Auckland, Sodhi’s journey to becoming New Zealand’s premier white-ball leg-spinner is a story of passion, perseverance, and multicultural pride. Sodhi’s family moved to New Zealand when he was just four years old, in search of a better future. Growing up in a new country while holding on to Indian roots, Ish found his identity through cricket—a sport beloved on both sides of his heritage. From backyard games to club cricket, he quickly rose through the ranks, displaying a deep fascination with spin bowling. While New Zealand’s pace-rich legacy is well-known, Sodhi emerged as a rarity—a genuine leg-spinner in a land where swing dominated. He developed his craft carefully, inspired by legends like Shane Warne and Anil Kumble, but shaped it with his own tactical intelligence and rhythm. Sodhi made his Test debut in 2013 against Bangladesh at just 20 years old. Though his red-ball career was promising, it’s in white-ball cricket—ODIs and especially T20Is—that he truly flourished. His flighted leg-breaks, deceptive googlies, and ability to break partnerships in the middle overs made him an indispensable figure in New Zealand’s limited-overs setup. A standout moment in his T20I career came during the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup, where his spellbinding performance against India helped New Zealand pull off a stunning upset on a spinning track in Nagpur. Since then, Sodhi has become a mainstay in T20 leagues around the world—playing in the IPL, Big Bash, CPL, and even The Hundred—proving his skill across conditions and formats. In 2021, he played a key role in helping New Zealand reach the final of the T20 World Cup, finishing as one of the top wicket-takers in the tournament. His control, guile, and composure under pressure were critical assets in the Black Caps' march through the group stage. Despite being a bowler, Ish is no mug with the bat. He's contributed valuable lower-order runs on multiple occasions, most notably a gritty 63 in just his second Test. More than stats, though, his energy and presence on the field have made him a fan favorite. Off the field, Ish Sodhi is deeply thoughtful and creative. A lover of hip-hop and poetry, he often writes and performs his own verses—bringing a rare artistic side to the professional cricket world. He also speaks openly about identity, mental health, and being a role model for children of immigrant backgrounds. Today, Sodhi is more than just a leg-spinner. He’s a symbol of diversity, a torchbearer of spin bowling in New Zealand, and a true global cricketer. With jersey number 61, Ish Sodhi continues to weave magic—not just with his deliveries, but with the cultural richness he brings to the game.