‘Naman Dhir has completed him’: World Cup winner’s huge assertion on star’s T20I future
Naman Dhir made a powerful assertion on his T20I debut in opposition to the West Indies, and his efficiency has already led to questions on Washington Sundar’s place in India’s white-ball groups.The 25-year-old, who has primarily been seen as a batting all-rounder within the IPL, stunned many with the ball within the first T20I. He bowled his full four-over spell and returned figures of three/31 as India restricted the West Indies to 171.Dhir had scored 318 runs in IPL 2026 however didn’t bowl a single over through the event. His global debut confirmed that he can supply India another choice with the ball.Former India cricketer and 1983 World Cup winner Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes Dhir’s emergence may significantly harm Washington Sundar’s possibilities in white-ball cricket.
Srikkanth: ‘Naman Dhir has completed him’
Srikkanth identified that Dhir initially got here into the staff as a substitute however has now made it troublesome for the selectors to go away him out.“Naman Dhir has now are available at Washington Sundar’s place as a substitute participant. Washington Sundar retains getting injured after each two matches. Now Naman Dhir has are available as his substitute and completed him. How are you able to drop Naman Dhir now from ODIs and T20Is? He has instantly grabbed that spot. Now Washington Sundar can solely play for India in Test cricket,” Srikkanth mentioned on his YouTube channel.Srikkanth was additionally impressed by how Dhir adjusted his bowling after getting hit.“When he bowls quick, he will get hit for sixes. So he instantly slows the ball down, which exhibits that he is a really considerate bowler. He’s supreme for T20 cricket. He bowls in such a method that he envisions himself batting and the way one would bowl to him. That’s how a lot of a pondering cricketer he seems to be to be. That’s why he is an clever bowler.”
Why Srikkanth needs Impact Player rule eliminated
Dhir’s efficiency additionally made Srikkanth query the influence of the IPL’s Impact Player rule.“This is why the Impact Player rule must be eliminated within the IPL. That’s how you will produce real all-rounders. Now you’ve got acquired a great batting all-rounder in Naman Dhir. Today he bowled 4 overs, however even when he provides you two overs on a constant foundation, it’s going to be big for India and MI,” mentioned Srikkanth.Srikkanth expects Dhir to get extra alternatives with the ball within the IPL as properly.“He’ll take a great deal of wickets even within the upcoming IPL. He should have bowled solely 10 overs most in his IPL profession, but he bowled 4 overs immediately. He has every thing, together with luck.”
Dhir says bowling has at all times been a part of his sport
Dhir, nonetheless, made it clear that his bowling was not one thing he out of the blue picked up for his global debut.“I’ve been bowling for fairly a while; it isn’t as if I’ve simply began now. In the IPL, due to the impact-player rule, you don’t see me bowling as a lot. But it isn’t that I haven’t bowled. I’ve bowled rather a lot and have good expertise right here as properly. Hopefully, I’ll proceed doing properly sooner or later,” Dhir mentioned within the post-match press convention after serving to India bowl out West Indies for 171 within the first T20I right here.He defined that he adopted a easy plan after watching Axar Patel bowl earlier within the innings.“I noticed Axar Bhai bowling earlier, and he was bowling just a little slower and getting some flip. That was in my thoughts – if I bowled just a little slower, there could be good grip from the wicket, and I may get them out. So I simply caught to my plans and saved issues primary. I believe I acquired a great consequence from that,” Dhir mentioned.
‘I’m working simply as onerous on my bowling’
Dhir additionally burdened that his bowling has at all times obtained the identical consideration as his batting.“Again, I’ll say that even in the event you haven’t seen me bowling, I’ve been bowling as a lot as I’ve since I got here right here and I’ve practised simply as a lot earlier than this. It will not be as if, as a batting all-rounder or bowling all-rounder, I’ve uncared for one side. Yes, my batting is a plus level, however on the identical time I’m working simply as onerous on my bowling,” he mentioned.“Whether I’ve to bowl 4 overs, two overs and even one-day cricket, the place I’ve bowled six or seven overs, it’s regular for me. I simply should give attention to my plans and attempt to execute them,” he added.India, who received the three-match ODI sequence 2-1, are main the five-match T20I sequence 1-0.The second T20I match will likely be playd on Friday on the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.
