Naman Dhir celebrates after taking a wicket. (PTI Photo)
Dhir claimed two wickets (2/39) in India’s 14-run victory over the West Indies in the third T20I at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday, helping the hosts take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The off-spinner dismissed Shimron Hetmyer and Kamil Pooran during the visitors’ chase of 224, adding to the three wickets (3/31) he took on his T20I debut during the West Indies series. Because there is nothing better than taking a wicket,” Dhir told JioStar, as they say that in T20 cricket, an attacking option can also be a defensive option.
Explaining his approach, Dhir said his bowling relies on disciplined lines and lengths, variations in pace and an understanding of the batter’s technique. For instance, when Kamil Pooran was batting, he was looking to play every shot towards the leg side and get room to free his arms, so I wanted to cramp him for room,” he said. “As an off-spinner, I don’t have too many variations, so I have to rely on my line and length and vary my pace. That has always been my thinking. “I didn’t plan to concede three sixes and then take a wicket.
He said the team management expects him to provide flexibility in the lower middle order while delivering two or three overs when required. I got an opportunity to bat in this game, but I am a bit disappointed that I couldn’t capitalise on it,” he said. “With the ball, my responsibility is to bowl two or three overs economically whenever the team needs me,” he said.
Despite his growing contributions with the ball, Dhir made it clear that batting remains his primary responsibility in the Indian setup. “I am a batting all-rounder. Dhir added that the Impact Player rule in the IPL had reduced his bowling opportunities, but stressed that bowling had always been part of his game.