Rajasthan Royals announce Ish Sodhi as replacement for Zahir Khan

Rajasthan Royals have been jolted with a injury blow after a loss in the first match of the 2018 IPL campaign.

Afghanistan’s chinaman bowler, Zahir Khan has succumbed to an injury and has been ruled out of IPL 2018, adding to RR’s woes.

However, they have gone out and replaced him with a very able T20 bowler in Ish Sodhi.

Ish Sodhi has been a revelation for New Zealand in T20 cricket, having picked up 36 wickets in 26 T20I’s, boasting of a healthy average of 19.33 and conceding runs with an economy of just 7.43 whilst playing on those small grounds in New Zealand.

Bowling in New Zealand would have helped him adjust to batsman constantly going after him, hence inherently preparing for the IPL all along.

Sodhi has fond memories of T20 cricket in India, when in the 2016 T20 World Cup, he picked up 10 wickets in 5 games, picking up 3-18 against India in the tournament opener.

The Kiwi has been the World Number 1 T20 bowler and held that position whilst the IPL auction was being carried out. However, none of the franchises were interested in his services, but he has found a suitor now.

Rajasthan Royals were dealt with a heavy defeat in their opening encounter against Shikhar Dhawan as their batting unit failed collectively and the bowlers were left with a little too much to do.

Sodhi might not immediately find a place in the XI, but somewhere down the line in the tournament, he could become the premier spinner for Rajasthan Royals.

Royals play their next fixture today against the Delhi Daredevils.