Live Update: “There is nothing better,” says Naman Dhir after the 3rd T20I heroics. Naman Dhir took 2 wickets for 39 runs as India beat the West Indies by 14 runs in Indore to take a 2-1 series lead.
‘There’s nothing better,’ says Naman Dhir after heroics in 3rd T20I (Photo Source: BCCI/X) India defeated the West Indies by 14 runs in the 3rd T20I at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on October 11, 2026 to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Chasing India’s tally of 223 runs, West Indies were bowled out by 209 runs, with Naman Dhir playing a key role in restricting the visitors. Dhir posted figures of 2 wickets for 39 runs in 3 overs, dismissing Shimron Hetmyer and Kamil Pooran.
Arshdeep Singh was named player of the match for his 3 wickets for 44 runs. Speaking to JioStar after the game, Dhir reflected on his proach to bowling and his role in the team. “As an off-spinner I don’t have too much variety, so I have to rely on my line and length and vary my pace.
That was always my thought. As they say in T20 cricket, an offensive player can also be a defensive player because there is nothing better than taking a wicket. It helps to be a hitter because you understand the hitter’s stance, where his backlift comes from, his coverage and the type of shots he can throw.
I keep seeing these things when I play,” Dhir was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports. How did Dhir fire Hetmyer and Pooran? Dhir’s two wickets came in contrasting but equally remarkable circumstances.
In the seventh over, Hetmyer hit Dhir for a four and a six before the ball hit his back and crashed into the stumps, giving Dhir the breakthrough. Pooran’s dismissal came in Dhir’s third game. The West Indies batter hit three sixes before being caught at square leg with Arshdeep Singh taking the catch.
Dhir explained that he realized Pooran’s intention and deliberately lured him into a tr. “I wasn’t planning on conceding three sixes and then taking a wicket. For instance, when Kamil Pooran was batting, he was looking to play every shot towards the leg side and get room to free his arms, so I wanted to cramp him for room.
I made a couple of errors in the first two deliveries. I knew I was bowling my third over, the batter was ready and with the high run rate he had to take his chance. And finally he managed to play exactly the kind of shot I wanted from him and he was caught from distance.
So these little things help me a lot and as a bowler I always look for little details like that,” Dhir said. A notable trend emerged in Dhir’s international career. His five international wickets came immediately after hitting a six.
What role does Dhir play in the Indian T20I team? Dhir batted at number six during the Indian innings on October 11, 2026, scoring 10 runs off 5 balls before being caught by Shamar Springer off Gudakesh Motie. He admitted he was a little dispointed at not taking advantage of the opportunity, but made it clear what role he would play in the team.
When asked about his ambitions for the future, Dhir’s answer remained matter-of-fact. “I am a batting all-rounder. I had the chance to score in this match, but I’m a little dispointed that I couldn’t citalize on it.
However, it’s not that I don’t bowl. The impact player rule in the IPL means I have fewer opportunities to play there, but I’ve been bowling since I started playing cricket and I really enjoy it. As for my role, I have been told by coaches and some that I will bat at number six or seven depending on the situation, so that role is flexible.
With the ball, my job is to bowl two or three overs economically whenever the team needs me. I don’t work like that and I look too far ahead. At the moment I don’t have any specific goals.
I just play my cricket, enjoy it and wherever God takes me, I will go,” said Dhir.
