Rajasthan Royals have signed Kiwi leg-spinner Ish Sodhi as the Team Liaison Officer for IPL 2021. In this new role, Sodhi will contribute towards cricket operations, and work closely with the team’s new Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara and Jake Lush McCrum, the chief operating officer.
Ish Sodhi – Team Liaison for #IPL2021 💗
Here's how the Royals virtually welcomed him (back). 📲#HallaBol pic.twitter.com/hZLtfhMiEp
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) February 26, 2021
Sodhi went unsold in the recent auction but looks like he will be part of the tournament after all. Previously, he had played for RR in 2018 and 2019. In IPL 2020, he was supposed to be a part of the franchise as a spin consultant and operations executive but IPL’s change of schedule to mid-September clashed with New Zealand’s domestic season and the birth of his first child.
While commenting about his new role, Sodhi said, “The Royals are an innovative, dynamic franchise that plays an entertaining brand of cricket, and I am delighted to rejoin my IPL family to work across the board. Last year I expressed my interest in exploring the management side of the franchise, and the Royals management team was very supportive, offering me a role to enable me to begin my off-field journey. I’m looking forward to supporting the coaches and the business operations of the team through which I’ll really develop my cricketing and management skills.”
With the 2021 tournament set to happen in a bio-bubble again, Sodhi will also be responsible for creating a variety of team events and supporting the creation of engaging content to keep the Royals fans close to the action. During the lockdown, Sodhi hosted a Royals podcast series and looks forward to working on a digital content series during the forthcoming season.
Welcoming Sodhi in his dual role at the franchise, McCrum said, “Ish has never really left the Royals family, and I’m delighted he can be on the ground with us this season. He embodies the Royals way, has incredible positive energy and will add so much value across the board. This is a unique role, through which Ish can develop as a future coach and manager while honing his playing technique and leadership skills.”
Apart from winning the inaugural edition of the IPL and ending up as runners-up in 2013’s Champions League Twenty20, Rajasthan Royals have failed to impress in the past half a decade. Last year, RR ended their campaign as the last franchise on the points table. In 2021, they would hope to change their fortunes with players like Chris Morris, who was acquired during the recent auction at the record price of Rs 16.25 crores.