‘Reading the batsman’s mind’: How batting all-rounder Naman Dhir turned his bowling into a weapon for India

Naman Dhir celebrates after taking a wicket. (PTI photo) NEW DELHI: India’s Naman Dhir is influential with the ball despite being primarily a batting all-rounder and the 26-year-old believes his ability to read the batsman’s intentions helps him make crucial breakthroughs in T20Is.Dhir took two wickets (2/39) in India’s 14-run win over West Indies in the third T20I at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday, helping the hosts take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The off-spinner dismissed Shimron Hetmyer and Kamil Pooran during the visitors’ chase of 224 to add to the three wickets (3/31) he took on his T20I debut during the West Indies series.Explaining his approach, Dhir said his bowling depends on disciplined lines and lengths, variations in pace and an understanding of batting technique.“As an off-spinner, I don’t have much variation so I have to rely on my line and length and vary my pace. That has always been my mindset. As they say, in T20 cricket, an attacking option can also be a defensive option because there is nothing better than taking a wicket,” Dhir told JioStar.“Being a batsman helps because you understand a batsman’s stance, where his backswing comes from, his guard and the kind of shots he can play. I watch these things when I bowl,” he added.

‘He wanted to play every shot towards the leg side’

Dhir offered an insight into how he planned to dismiss Pooran, explaining that he had identified the batsman’s preferred scoring areas and wanted to limit his room to allow him to play freely.“I didn’t plan to hit three sixes and then take a wicket. For example, when Kamil Pooran was batting, he was trying to play every shot towards leg and get space to free his hands, so I wanted to get him in spasm,” he said.“I made a couple of mistakes in the first two deliveries. I knew I was bowling my third over, the bat was set and because the run was high he had to take a chance. And he finally got out and played exactly the kind of shot I wanted him to and got caught at straight leg.”“So those little things help me a lot and as a bowler I’m always looking for those little details,” added Dhir.

Batsman remains Dhir’s primary role

Despite his increasing contributions with the ball, Dhir has made it clear that batting remains his primary responsibility in the Indian setup. He said the team management expected him to provide flexibility in the lower middle order and deliver two or three overs when needed.“I am a batting all-rounder. I got an opportunity to bat in this game but I am a bit disappointed that I could not take advantage of it,” he said.Dhir added that the Impact Player rule in the IPL has reduced his bowling options, but stressed that bowling has always been a part of his game.“With the ball, my responsibility is to bowl two or three overs economically whenever the team needs me,” he said.Despite a promising start to international cricket, the all-rounder is not looking too far ahead.“I don’t operate that way, I look too far ahead. I don’t have any specific goals yet. I’m just playing my cricket, enjoying it and wherever God takes me, I’ll go,” he added.

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