New Zealand cricketer Ish Sodhi, long recognised for his spin bowling, has spectacularly carved his name into the batting annals with a maiden first-class century that was instantly immortalised by a wildly entertaining, WWE-inspired celebration.
A Milestone Innings and a Record Stand
Playing for Canterbury in the Plunket Shield, Sodhi finally broke his first-class duck, finishing unbeaten on 108 runs. The momentous achievement came during a colossal eighth-wicket partnership that left a significant mark on the record books. Sodhi was joined at the crease by Sean Davey, who also celebrated his maiden first-class century, scoring 101 not out.
Together, the pair piled on a record unbeaten 204-run stand at Dunedin's University of Otago Oval. This partnership is now the second-highest eighth-wicket stand ever recorded in the city and the highest in the history of the Plunket Shield. The innings also featured Henry Nicholls’ 111, marking the second consecutive Otago match to include three centuries in the same innings.
The Viral Celebration That Captured the Internet
While the batting feat was impressive, it was Sodhi's subsequent celebration that truly set social media alight. The moment began with a humble and emotional tribute, as Sodhi removed his helmet, put his hands together in prayer, and raised them to the sky before honouring passed loved ones.
However, as Davey ran to embrace him, Sodhi's demeanour shifted dramatically. In a move that delighted fans, he thrust his crotch out and banged his hands down twice on his hips, performing a spot-on imitation of the famous 'crotch chop' popularised by the WWE faction D-Generation X.
The reaction online was instantaneous and overwhelmingly positive. One social media user posted, 'You can hear the lads losing it from the boundary when he hits it,' while another noted, 'Acknowledged God, parents and naysayers in one clip.' A cricket fan group declared it the 'single greatest celebration of all time.' Not all feedback was complimentary, however, with some commentators focusing on the loose shot he played to reach his milestone.
Solidifying Canterbury's Domestic Dominance
This historic partnership has further cemented Canterbury's dominance in New Zealand domestic cricket. With this 204-run effort, Canterbury now boasts the top three eighth-wicket partnerships in the nation's domestic history, adding to famous stands from the 2005/06 and 2004/05 seasons. The only team to come close was Auckland with a 189-run partnership back in 1938/39.
While Sodhi has been a serviceable international player with 21 Test matches, 58 wickets, and 561 Test runs including four fifties for New Zealand, this first-class century represents a significant personal milestone that extends his cricketing credentials far beyond his primary role as a bowler.
