New Delhi: Naman Dhir emerged as a notable find for India during the T20I series against the West Indies, stepping up as an all-rounder in the absence of Hardik Pandya. The Punjab player has previously gained attention in the Indian Premier League with strong performances under Hardik's leadership.
Throughout the five-match series, Dhir made his primary impact with the ball, capturing five wickets across 10 overs at an average of 22.8. However, during the Bengaluru encounter, it was his explosive batting that caught attention. Entering the game when the team required rapid scoring, the 26-year-old launched an aggressive attack against the West Indies bowlers.
Dhir started his innings by sending his very first delivery into the stands for a six, followed it with a boundary, and cleared the ropes again on the third and fifth deliveries to finish unbeaten on 24 runs from just six balls.
Analyzing the performance on Star Sports, former Indian opener Aakash Chopra praised the all-rounder's clean striking power, strong base, and effective use of his reach. Chopra noted that Dhir's batting style evoked similarities to Hardik Pandya, pointing out his stability at the crease and his ability to generate power effectively.
Chopra highlighted the challenges of batting at number six or seven, noting that lower-order players typically receive only a limited number of deliveries per match and must maximize their output in a short span. He placed Dhir's potential impact alongside established finishers like Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya as the team seeks reliable options for the late overs.
Dhir remains part of the Indian squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.