Did Black Caps’ Ish Sodhi tear up during Indian national anthem? Here’s what he says

A video of New Zealand bowler Inderbir Singh Sodhi, also known as Ish Sodhi, tearing up during a national anthem before a match has been widely shared on social media following the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. 

Sodhi has now clarified that he became emotional on two occasions during the tournament - during the national anthems ahead of a league match against South Africa on February 14, 2026, and again during the national anthem before the final against India on March 9 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The Indian Weekender reached out to Sodhi to clarify the moment and the context of the viral clip.

Sodhi confirmed that he became emotional during both occasions.

“ I was tearing up!,” Sodhi told The Indian Weekender.

Sodhi said the emotion came from his deep connection to both his Indian heritage and his life in New Zealand. He said he feels fortunate to have a strong understanding of both cultures.

“There is something really special about representing New Zealand for me in general but to go back to the place of my birth, to revisit the home of my relatives, my ancestors and be able to stand 33 years old, a father, a proud kiwi and having lived my childhood dream for 14 years so far, I was just overwhelmed with gratitude in the kiwi national anthem,” Sodhi added.

He further clarified that when the Indian national anthem was played in the final match, he “teared up again.”

“It was I suppose the same feeling of being connected so deeply to India but being overwhelmed by the gratitude and journey I have been so lucky to be on for such a huge chunk of my life,” Sodhi shared.

The clip, which features an emotional Hindi background score and claims Sodhi was remembering his Indian roots, shows him tearing up on the field during a national anthem, prompting speculation online about when the moment occurred.

Some reports in Indian media claimed Sodhi became emotional during the Indian national anthem ahead of the T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand.

However, fact-checked reports suggested the viral video was from the league match against South Africa on February 14, where Sodhi appeared emotional during the New Zealand national anthem.

Sodhi said he loves being Kiwi and is also proud to wear his family name “Sodhi,” on his back “which is so deeply connected to Punjab in India, and also wearing my thick kiwi accent and silver fern with pride.”

“I now believe in happy tears,” Sodhi chuckled.

When asked whether the emotional moment happened during the World Cup final against India or during the earlier match with South Africa, Sodhi said, “Both haha”.

Reflecting on the Black Caps’ performance during the tournament, Sodhi said the team approached the competition in “ true kiwi style”.

“Adaptable and willing to do the job for the team,” he said.

Explaining how the campaign unfolded, Sodhi said several players stepped up at different moments during the tournament, helping New Zealand reach another final.

“Sure it would have been great to get over the line in the final and go away with a winners medal and the trophy but I think we showed that we again are a team not to take lightly, especially in world tournaments,” Sodhi added.

The final ended with India securing a 96-run victory to lift the T20 World Cup 2026 trophy.

Despite the loss, Sodhi praised the Indian side’s performance.

“India have as strong a case as ever to be labelled one of the best t20 teams ever,” he said.

“There are specialist t20 players all the way through their 11. The destructiveness of their top order and willingness to play bold, aggressive cricket was highlighted when they scored 250+ in the semi and then backed it up in the final,” he said.

“This is extraordinary. Complimented with a very skillful attack led by Jasprit Bumrah they truly were deserved winners and have sent many players, including myself, away from the tournament with a taste of what the modern t20i game requires if you are to tussle with the best of the best consistently.”

Sodhi congratulated Team India and said the result also offers lessons moving forward.

Reflecting on his Indian roots, the 33-year-old cricketer, who was born in Ludhiana, India, and moved to New Zealand at the age of four, said he did not discover cricket until he was nine years old.

“All I can think is most people say cricket is a religion in India and maybe it’s something that was brewing in my blood all along"

“I suppose my connection to my indian roots came from my parents and then some indian members of Papatoetoe cricket club and then of course though born in Kenya, my first spin bowling coach, Dipak Patel had indian heritage which made it feel possible for someone like me to achieve something in the game.”