New Zealand's leg-spinner Ish Sodhi has been ruled out of the remaining T20I series against South Africa due to a broken thumb. He suffered the injury while bowling at training ahead of the opening match in Mount Maunganui, and scans confirmed a break that will require four weeks of rehabilitation. Head coach Rob Walter expressed disappointment, saying, "Ish is very passionate about playing for New Zealand... He is hugely experienced in the T20 format and so will be a big miss for the remainder of the series." The team is confident in the remaining players, including Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie, to cover Sodhi's absence. New Zealand's selectors have decided not to call up a replacement for Ish Sodhi, instead relying on Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie to cover the spin needs for the remaining T20I matches against South Africa. Lockie Ferguson will join the squad for the second and third matches, adding pace to the team. New Zealand's head coach Rob Walter expressed disappointment over Ish Sodhi's injury, acknowledging his passion for playing for the team. Sodhi, a key player in the T20 format, will be a big miss for the remainder of the series against South Africa due to a broken thumb. However, Walter is confident in the team's ability to adapt, with Lockie Ferguson joining the squad and Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie covering the spin duties. Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver, Jayden Lennox and Tom Latham will join the squad for the last two matches of the series with Latham taking over the captaincy from Santner. New Zealand were comfortably beaten in the opening match when they were bundled out for 91.