Naman Dhir: 'I was bowling with a simple plan' after 0-38 in Guwahati

Naman Dhir said he bowled "with a simple plan" after returning figures of none for 38 in 6.1 overs in the second ODI in Guwahati during India’s ongoing series against the West Indies, speaking on the eve of the third ODI in New Chandigarh on Friday, October 2, 2026. The 26-year-old did not bat in either of the first two matches.

Dhir was a surprise inclusion in India’s ODI squad for the series against the West Indies and is described as a Punjab all-rounder who can bat at No. 6 or 7 while also providing the captain a fifth or sixth bowling option. Selection notes in the report underline that he has not yet had an opportunity to bat in the opening two fixtures. The profile given in the build-up framed him primarily as a bowling option in the recent matches.

In the high-scoring second ODI in Guwahati, Dhir bowled 6.1 overs for none for 38 while the West Indies racked up 405 for seven. The report characterised that performance as a decent outing with the ball despite the large total posted by the visitors. Those figures are the only statistical contribution recorded for him with the ball in that game.

“My thought was that I had one long boundary for the right-handers, so I was just using that. I was bowling with a simple plan; it was clear to me that if I get hit there, I’ll take that, but I won’t try to do anything extra on my own,” said Dhir about his bowling on the eve of the third ODI here on Friday (October 2, 2026).

The 26-year-old added, “I’ve talked a lot with Ravindra Jadeja. He gave tips on what line and length you need to bowl, and that was very helpful for me”. That exchange with Jadeja was cited as part of the learning Dhir has taken from the series so far.

His remarks were made as India prepared for the third ODI against the West Indies on Friday, October 2, 2026, in New Chandigarh.