India cricketer Naman Dhir seals record T20I chase against New Zealand
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The gist
India cricketer Naman Dhir hit an unbeaten 42 off 15 balls as India chased 226 to beat New Zealand.
The finisher's knock answers India's long search for a middle-order all-rounder.
Background
Naman Dhir is an India cricketer, a right-handed batter and right-arm off-break bowler born in Ambala, Haryana, who represents Punjab domestically and Mumbai Indians in the IPL (Indian Premier League). After being repeatedly overlooked by Punjab selectors, he considered moving to Edmonton, Canada, where his sister lives, but his father Naresh Dhir and late coach Gagan Sidhu persuaded him to keep playing. His breakthrough came in the IPL, where Mumbai Indians bought him for ₹20 lakh, and since the 2019 ODI World Cup India had been looking for a middle-order batter who could also bowl useful overs.
How it unfolded
- 2021Overlooked by Punjab selectors, Dhir considered moving to Edmonton, Canada, but his father and late coach Gagan Sidhu convinced him to continue for one more year.
- Dec 2022He debuted for Punjab in the Ranji Trophy; he has since played 20 first-class matches for 669 runs and 17 wickets.
- 2023A year after his Ranji debut, he was on Mumbai Indians' IPL payroll.
- Oct 17, 2026In the final T20I against West Indies in Bengaluru, he smashed an unbeaten 24 off six balls before rain ended the match early.
- Oct 22, 2026At Hagley Oval in Christchurch, India chased down 226 to beat New Zealand by 4 wickets in 19.4 overs, their highest successful T20I chase; Dhir finished unbeaten on 42 off 15 balls.
- Oct 23, 2026India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak praised Dhir's power, clarity in the finisher's role and potential as an off-spin bowling option.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- India captain Shreyas Iyer said Dhir gives the team options with the ball, especially against left-handers, and called his calm and composed batting magnificent.
- Expert
- Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak called Dhir a power-packed player who knows what is expected of him, and a very promising, exciting talent who can also bowl one to four overs of off-spin.
- Caution
- Kotak said it is too early to judge, while noting Dhir's technique, quick base-building and power make him very promising.
Still unverified
When selectors picked Dhir for the West Indies series, eyebrows were raised and scepticism followed, according to reports.