Lucknow, Oct 7: Naman Dhir may have been waiting for his chance to showcase his batting, but the all-rounder made an immediate impact with the ball on
his India debut, claiming three wickets against the West Indies in the first T20I in Lucknow.
Dhir returned impressive figures of 3/31 with his off-spin as India restricted the West Indies to 171 before chasing down the target in just 14.4 overs. Captain Shreyas Iyer then stole the show with a breathtaking unbeaten 102 off 43 balls, his maiden T20I century, to seal an eight-wicket victory for India.
"I am still waiting for my chance to bat, and I will be happy if I get a chance with the bat. But I am happy that I could contribute with the ball and the team won," Dhir said at the post-match press conference.
The 26-year-old revealed that the conditions at Lucknow's Ekana Stadium encouraged him to bowl slower, a strategy that ultimately paid dividends.
"I saw Axar (Patel) bhai bowling at a slower pace, and it was turning, and then I thought if I bowl a bit slow, I will get grip from the wicket and get some wickets. So I stuck to my plans, and I guess the result came out," he said.
Dhir also credited the IPL for preparing him for the demands of international cricket. Having represented Mumbai Indians, he believes playing at the franchise level has helped him develop the temperament required for the highest stage.
The Ambala-born cricketer said receiving his India call-up was a surreal moment, especially as he was attending a Ranji Trophy camp with the Punjab Cricket Association at the time. His first call after receiving the news was to his father, who became emotional.
"Every child dreams of representing his country, and it was special for me, hailing from a small town," Dhir said.
While his bat remains an eagerly awaited weapon, Dhir's debut has already provided India with a glimpse of his all-round capabilities.
