Naman Dhir wickets follow sixes as India pick up third T20I in Indore

Naman Dhir dismissed Shimron Hetmyer and Kamil Pooran in the third India-West Indies T20I in Indore on Sunday, continuing a pattern in which each of the 26-year-old’s first five T20I wickets have come immediately after a six. The off-spinning all-rounder’s two dismissals in Indore followed three similar instances in the opening match in Lucknow.

Dhir, 26, has repeatedly seen a wicket fall on the ball after a maximum, a sequence that began in the series opener in Lucknow and was replicated in the third game in Indore when he removed Hetmyer and Pooran. A photograph accompanying the match report showed Dhir celebrating Pooran’s wicket during the T20I in Indore.

On his role in the side, Dhir said to JioStar: “My responsibility is to bowl two or three economical overs. In T20 cricket, an attacking option can also be a defensive option because there is nothing better than taking a wicket.” He has positioned himself as a bowler who can both contain and attack in short spells.

Discussing his methods, Dhir told JioStar: “Being a batter helps me understand the [rival] batter’s stance, backlift, guard and the shots he can play. I do not have many variations, so I have to rely on my line and length and vary my pace.” He has not shied away from tempting batters and accepts risk in pursuit of wickets.

Abhishek Sharma praised Dhir after the match, saying: “I have been seeing him since his u-14 days. The way he is bowling, he is going to do well for India in the next years as well.” Sharma made the comments as an India and Punjab teammate, offering long-term endorsement of Dhir’s progress.

Dhir’s propensity to break partnerships on the ball following a six has practical consequences for India’s team balance: his wicket-taking ability has allowed India to go with four frontline bowlers. He has also indicated he “would not mind being hit for a six as long as it brings a wicket the very next ball.”