IND vs NZ T20 WC: Ludhiana-born New Zealand player gets teary-eyed ahead of tournament final
The 33-year-old cricketer, who hails from Ludhiana was seemingly emotional during the national anthem struggling to control his tears as he stood beside his teammates ahead of the high-voltage clash.
PTC News Desk: The finale of T20 World Cup at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad witnessed emotional moments on Sunday ahead of the game. New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi was moved to tears before the start of the T20 World Cup 2026 Final against India.
The 33-year-old cricketer, who hails from Ludhiana was seemingly emotional during the national anthem struggling to control his tears as he stood beside his teammates ahead of the high-voltage clash.
Born in Ludhiana, Ish Sodhi moved to New Zealand with his family when he was four years old. Over time, he progressed in New Zealand cricket and became one of the team’s most dependable spin bowlers in the T20 format.
Returning to India for a global final was very special for him. Playing a World Cup final in the country where he was born made the moment very emotional. As the national anthems were played at the packed Narendra Modi Stadium, cameras showed Sodhi getting emotional, and the moment quickly spread on social media and TV.
While the final ended in disappointment for New Zealand, with India winning by 96 runs to lift the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 trophy, Sodhi’s emotional reaction to being in his birthplace became one of the most talked-about moments of the night. Fans appreciated him for proudly playing for New Zealand while still respecting his roots in Punjab.