Indore , 12 October (H.S.): Indian all-rounder Naman Dhir has said that the team management has assigned him the responsibility of batting at No. 6 or No. 7 and bowling two to three economical overs whenever required. India took a 2-1 lead in the five-match T20 International series after defeating the West Indies by 14 runs in the third match.

Speaking on JioStar’s programme ‘Higher Cricket Live’, Dhir discussed his role in the team, how understanding a batter’s mindset helps him while bowling, and his future ambitions. JioStar expert Ian Bishop also praised India’s bowling performance and Abhishek Sharma’s batting approach.

Asked whether he considered himself a batting or bowling all-rounder, Dhir said, “I am a batting all-rounder. I got an opportunity to bat in this match, but I could not make the most of it, which left me a little disappointed. However, that does not mean I do not bowl. The Impact Player rule in the IPL limits my opportunities to bowl, but I have been bowling ever since I started playing cricket, and I thoroughly enjoy it.

“As far as my role is concerned, the coach and captain have told me that I will bat at No. 6 or No. 7, depending on the situation. So, there is flexibility in this role. With the ball, my responsibility is to deliver two or three economical overs whenever the team needs me.”

Reading a batter’s mindset

Explaining how he tries to understand a batter’s mindset and stay one step ahead while bowling, Dhir said, “As an off-spinner, I do not have too many variations. Therefore, I have to rely on my line and length and vary the pace of the ball. That has always been my approach. As they say, in T20 cricket, an attacking option can also become a defensive one because there is nothing better than taking a wicket.”

He added, “The advantage of being a batter yourself is that you can understand a batter’s stance, the way he lifts his bat, his guard and the shots he is likely to play. I watch these things while bowling. I never deliberately planned to concede three sixes first and then take a wicket.”

Elaborating on his approach, Dhir said, “For example, when Kamil Pooran was batting, he was trying to play every shot towards the leg side and create room to free his arms. So, I did not want to give him that room. I made a few mistakes with the first two deliveries. I knew it was my third over, the batter was well set, and with the scoring rate high, he would try to take risks.

“Eventually, he was dismissed while attempting the kind of shot I wanted him to play. He was caught at square leg. These small details help me a great deal, and I pay close attention to them while bowling.”

Focused on enjoying the game

Speaking about his immediate goals, Dhir said he preferred to concentrate on the present rather than think too far ahead.

“I do not work by constantly thinking about the distant future. At the moment, I do not have any specific target. I am simply playing my cricket, enjoying it, and trusting that God will take me wherever I am meant to go,” he said.

Ian Bishop praises India’s bowling effort

JioStar expert Ian Bishop praised India’s bowlers following their victory in the third T20 International, highlighting their execution and tactical discipline.

“First of all, congratulations to India. After around the eighth over, the West Indies bowlers began to restrict the scoring to some extent through Roston Chase, followed by Springer and then Motie. However, the runs scored off Prince Yadav’s bat in the final overs proved decisive.

“We then saw some yorkers as well. At the toss, Shreyas Iyer had explained that Prince Yadav had been brought back into the team for the first time in the series because India wanted bowlers capable of delivering yorkers and bowling along the wide line. These strategies are extremely important.

“Arshdeep is the leader of the bowling attack, and he read the conditions very quickly. Naman Dhir also helped him to some extent. Clearly, one important factor was that there was no dew.

“Overall, it is encouraging to see the bowlers perform better in a series dominated by batters. The West Indies will look to improve certain aspects of their game next time, but that should not diminish India’s achievement. India deserved this victory on the strength of its bowling,” Bishop said.

India and the West Indies will meet in the fourth T20 International on Wednesday, October 14, with the match scheduled to begin at 7 pm. The match will be broadcast live on JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar