BBL stint rejuvenates Sodhi's love for the game
WILL MACPHERSON IN SYDNEY
Sodhi's six-for is the best figures by an Adelaide Strikers bowler in BBL history © Getty Images
Ish Sodhi, the New Zealand legspinner, said his career-best 6 for 11 in T20s that knocked defending BBL champions Sydney Thunder out of contention has rejuvenated his love for the game.
Sodhi who played three games for Adelaide Strikers found dip, drift and turn to pick up nine wickets, including the second-best figures in the competition's history, and the best since 2012. He admitted, however, just a few weeks ago, he had "faced a few setbacks at home" and "wasn't in the form I wanted to be in".
"The boys have rejuvenated my love for the game," he said. "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 McGill, 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."
After a mixed showing for Northern Districts in New Zealand's domestic T20 competition, he was recalled for the final two T20Is against Bangladesh this month. He picked up five wickets before joining Strikers as an overseas replacement for England's injured Chris Jordan.
He eventually filled the role vacated by Adil Rashid, who has been on international duty. Rashid's absence has been a major factor in Strikers being the first side to fall out of finals contention this season. Despite his best performance in the shortest format till date, Sodhi was critical of his first over because he went wicketless.
"If I'm really harsh on myself, I probably took a little time to adjust to the conditions. In the first over, I bowled like I was at the MCG or Adelaide Oval - a little flatter and into the deck so I could spin it on," he said. "But there was more in the surface for me - I should have used it from ball one. I got going in the second over and it worked out really well for me."
Of his meeting with MacGill, he said: "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."
Will Macpherson writes on cricket for the Guardian, ESPNcricinfo and All Out Cricket.
