Lucknow: Barely a week ago, Naman Dhir was not even in India’s T20I plans. On Tuesday night at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, the 26-year-old all-rounder announced himself on the international stage with 3 for 31 on debut, playing a central role as India dismissed West Indies for 171.
From standby to star
Dhir had made his ODI debut earlier in the West Indies series and was added to the T20I squad only after Washington Sundar withdrew. Thrown the ball in a high-pressure game, he responded with the maturity of a veteran, breaking partnerships just as West Indies threatened to accelerate.
His victims included key middle-order batters, and his figures were the best by an Indian bowler on the night — better even than the experienced Axar Patel (2/26) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/33).
A genuine two-skill cricketer
What makes Dhir’s story compelling is his unusual path. Despite bowling sparingly in the IPL under the Impact Player rule, he has always backed himself as a genuine bowling option. His 3/31 on debut — built on clever changes of pace and fearless flight — suggests India may have unearthed a valuable dual-skill asset.
The bigger picture
India’s spin-bowling all-rounder stocks have rarely looked healthier. With Axar Patel established, Washington Sundar injured and now Dhir emerging, the selectors have genuine choice ahead of the New Zealand tour and, further ahead, the 2027 World Cup cycle. If Dhir backs up this debut with consistency, the “standby” tag will not follow him for long.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
