A hard hitting batsman, no-frills medium pacer and hyperactive fieldsman, he first burst into national recognition in August 1996 with a superb allround display (3 for 34 and 82 not out) as captain to win the Under-15 World Cup final against Pakistan at Lord’s. Less than four months later, Sodhi was making his first-class debut against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy at the age of 16 years, 54 days. He was following in the footsteps of father Mahesh Inder Singh who also played in the Ranji Trophy for Punjab. His maiden century arrived the following season when he cracked an unbeaten 200 against Delhi at Patiala.