Mount Maunganui,16 March (H.S.): New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi has been ruled out of the remaining T20I matches against South Africa after fracturing his thumb during a training session while bowling.Scans confirmed the break, with doctors estimating a four-week recovery period, forcing Sodhi to miss the series' conclusion following New Zealand's 91-all-out collapse in the opener, which South Africa chased comfortably.

Pace bowler Lockie Ferguson has joined for the second and third games in Hamilton and Auckland, respectively, with selectors bypassing a direct replacement; spin duties now fall to Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie.

Head coach Rob Walter lamented the loss of Sodhi's T20 expertise and post-World Cup enthusiasm, expressing faith in Santner and McConchie's capabilities alongside Ferguson's reinforcement.

Tom Latham will captain the final two fixtures, with Kane Clarke, Dane Cleaver, and Jadon Lennox also linking up, as New Zealand seeks resurgence after the humiliating start.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar