Dhir and the art of bouncing back

If you want to learn the art of instantly bouncing back in an international cricket contest, dial Naman Dhir.

Conceding sixes in an unforgiving format for the bowlers may put many off but not Dhir. Whether you believe it or not, each of the 26-year-old’s first five wickets in T20Is have come immediately after maximums.

While it occurred thrice in the opening India-West Indies match in Lucknow, history repeated itself in the third game in Indore on Sunday, when the off-spinning all-rounder sent back Shimron Hetmyer and Kamil Pooran.

Dhir has not been afraid to tease batters, but he revealed that his primary duty was to deliver tight spells. “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 told JioStar.

Better understanding

“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,” Dhir added.

His wicket-taking ability has allowed India to go with four frontline bowlers.

“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,” Abhishek Sharma was all praise for his India and Punjab teammate.

Dhir would not mind being hit for a six as long as it brings a wicket the very next ball.