When the auctions of the Indian Premier League was concluded, a lot of people were shocked at some players being overlooked. One of those players whose snubbing flabbergasted many was Ish Sodhi – who was ranked one in the T20I rankings at the time – as he was overlooked by the management of the 8 teams.

He has, however, found his way to the competition as a replacement for Rajasthan Royals’ left-arm wrist-spinner Zahir Khan, who had to withdraw from the tournament due to injury. The Kiwi man – who has been bought for his base price of 50 lac rupees ($77,000) – is currently ranked fourth in the T20I bowling rankings and can also do a commendable job with the bat.

Indeed, Sodhi played an unrelenting innings against England in the final day of the final Test of a two-match series against England. New Zealand were leading 1-0 after winning the first Test as Sodhi scored 56 off 168 balls to make sure that New Zealand come out with a draw in the second Test and win a Test series against England at home for the first time since 1983-1984.

He becomes the 9th Kiwi star to take part in the IPL this season with Brendon McCullum, Colin de Grandhomme, Corey Anderson, Tim Southee (all Royal Challengers Bangalore), Colin Munro, Trent Boult (both Delhi Daredevils), Kane Williamson (Sunrisers Hyderabad) and Mitchell McClenaghan (Mumbai Indians) as the other 8 New Zealanders in the tournament. 

Sodhi has an average of 23.09 while taking 102 wickets from 88 innings. He is also decent with the bat in the format as he has scored 157 runs from 25 innings with an average of 12.07 and a best score of 52.  Although he has come in for a backup player, he may have a big role to play for the Royals given that leg-spinners rule the format with their trickery.