Naman Dhir joins Ojha, Axar in elite list after three-wicket haul on T20I debut
Naman Dhir made his T20I debut in style, becoming only the third Indian spinner to take three wickets on debut as India bowled out West Indies for 171 in 19.1 overs in the first T20I in Lucknow on Tuesday. The 25-year-old joined Pragyan Ojha and Axar Patel in the elite list of Indian spinners to take three or more wickets in their first T20I.
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Dhir finished with figures of 3/31 from his four overs, playing a key role in India’s fightback after West Indies got off to a flying start after Shreyas Iyer’s decision to bowl first.
India spinners with three wickets on T20I debut
- 21/04 – Pragyan Ojha vs BAN, Trent Bridge, 2009
- 3/17 – Axar Patel vs ZIM, Harare, 2015
- 3/31 – Naman Dhir vs WI, Lucknow, 2026
West Indies got off to a positive start with captain Shai Hope continuing his fine form from the ODI series. He put pressure on the Indian bowlers from the start and found a useful partner in debutant Kamil Pooran.
Pooran made 12 off 11 balls before chopping Arshdeep Singh’s delivery back onto his stumps, but Hope continued to keep the score healthy.
India then turned the tide in the final over. Shimron Hetmyer was run out for five before Axar Patel struck the ball and bowled Rovman Powell for a three-ball duck.
West Indies were 44/3 at the end of the over and needed a partnership to rebuild their innings. Hope and Sherfane Rutherford ensured just that, putting together 63 runs to put the visitors at ease.
Hope brought up his fifty from 36 balls and looked set to take West Indies deep into the innings. However, he fell to 52 in the very next delivery and fell deep.
The release opened the door for India to tighten its grip. Roston Chase made just five before departing, while Dhir then got into the wickets by removing Romario Shepherd for seven.
Matthew Forde followed with two, leaving West Indies 124/7 in the 15th over. India took four wickets for 28 runs in the middle stages and were firmly in control.
But Rutherford refused to let the innings completely unravel. With wickets falling at the other end, he took responsibility for the score and found some support from Akeal Hosein.
The pair added 36 runs with Rutherford taking the onslaught to the Indian bowlers. He brought up a well-made 56 off 34 balls before finally falling in the 19th over.
Hosein made 15 before becoming the last wicket to fall as West Indies were bowled out for 171 in 19.1 overs. They couldn’t complete their 20 overs, but Rutherford’s counter attack gave them enough to defend if they bowled well.
India’s bowling efforts were evenly distributed, with all five bowlers used by Iyer taking at least one wicket. Axar finished with 2/26 and Kuldeep Yadav took 2/33 while Arshdeep Singh and Mayank Yadav claimed one wicket each.
Dhir’s contribution stood out on a surface that looked to offer plenty for batsmen. Through a four-over spell, he controlled himself and struck at crucial moments to prevent the West Indies from building another partnership after Hope’s dismissal.
Axar’s early breakthrough and Kuldeep’s control through the middle overs ensured West Indies never fully recovered from their power play. Even Rutherford’s late charge could only take them to 171.
India will now need 172 to win the series opener with their batting line-up on a pitch that looked good for pulls.
– The end