Sports · Cricket · 1 hr ago
Naman Dhir adds a wicket-taking spin option to India's T20 team
Naman Dhir, a 26-year-old cricketer from Ambala, has drawn attention for both his batting and off-spin bowling.
He first gained wider notice after Mumbai Indians picked him for the IPL in 2024 and brought him back the next year.
In 2026, he led the Sher-E-Punjab T20 tournament in runs, scoring 655 in 10 matches.
He has now made an impact in India's T20I series against the West Indies, taking three wickets for 31 runs on his debut in Lucknow.
He also showed composure in Indore after West Indies batters attacked him.
A batter who can also bowl useful overs gives a team more options, especially in a format built around aggressive scoring.
His early international performances suggest his off-spin could strengthen his prospects in India's white-ball teams.
Naman Dhir has emerged as a wicket-taking off-spinner for India during its T20I series against the West Indies.
He took 3 wickets for 31 runs on his T20I debut in Lucknow.
In Indore, he dismissed West Indies batter Shimron Hetmyer after Hetmyer had hit him for two boundaries.
Dhir’s bowling adds another dimension to a player first known for his batting.
Yuzvendra Chahal praised Dhir’s fearlessness and compared his role to that of Kedar Jadhav.
- Who
- Naman Dhir, India’s 26-year-old off-spinner and batter.
- What
- He has shown he can take wickets in T20 internationals, adding a bowling option to India’s team.
- When
- During India’s ongoing T20I series against the West Indies. The dates of the matches are not stated.
- Where
- In Lucknow and Indore.
- Why
- His off-spin can give India a useful bowling option alongside his batting. The sources describe his performances but do not state a specific reason for his selection.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The way he has been bowling all year, he is playing his role effectively.
It's been a long time since I've seen an off-spinner in T20s performing like this and bowling with such fearlessness.
The pitch doesn't seem to faze him at all.
Mumbai Indians picked Dhir for Rs 20 lakh.
Mumbai Indians brought Dhir back using their Right-to-Match card at Rs 5.25.
Dhir scored 655 runs in 10 matches for the Amritsar Soormas and finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer.
Dhir took 3 wickets for 31 runs in four overs against the West Indies.
Dhir dismissed Shimron Hetmyer after the batter had hit him for two boundaries.
- Age
- 26
- T20I debut, Lucknow
- 3 wickets for 31 runs in four overs
- Indore
- Dismissed West Indies batter Shimron Hetmyer
- Sher-E-Punjab, 2026
- 655 runs in 10 matches
- IPL, ahead of 2024 season
- Mumbai Indians signed Dhir for Rs 20 lakh
Sources
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