'Impact Player rule means you don't see much': Naman Dhir on his bowling credentials
toi
newspoint|08-10-2026
Lucknow: The Indian team management has started to invest in Naman Dhir for the role of a spin-bowling allrounder who can bat in the late middle order. Despite being an integral part of the Mumbai Indians batting line-up over the last three years, not many knew of Dhir’s bowling credentials. But he has managed to impress with his accurate off-spin during the ODI series and in the first T20I against West Indies here on Tuesday.
Dhir stated that his steady bowling is not something that has happened overnight.
“I’ve been bowling for a long time; it’s not something I’ve suddenly started doing. In the IPL , because of the Impact Player rule , you don’t always see much of my bowling. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t bowled — I’ve bowled plenty. This has been a really good experience. I picked up wickets here, and I hope I can keep doing well going forward,” Dhir said after taking 3/31 on Tuesday.
In the high-scoring ODI series, which finished last week, Dhir conceded runs at only 6.3 runs per over.
“I saw Axar (Patel) bhai bowling at a slower pace and it was turning. Then I thought if I bowl a bit slow, I will get grip from the wicket and get some wickets. So I stuck to my plans and I guess the result came out,” Dhir added.
However, the 26-year-old from Faridkot said that he is still eager to get a good hit in the middle with the bat. He got only one outing with the bat in the three ODIs, where he scored 30 while batting at No. 6 at his home ground in New Chandigarh last Saturday.
“I’ll be happier when I get a chance to contribute with the bat. But for now, I’m pleased that I could help the team and be part of a win,” he said.
“I’ll be happier when I get a chance to contribute with the bat. But for now, I’m pleased that I could help the team and be part of a win,” he said.
Dhir stated that his steady bowling is not something that has happened overnight.
“I’ve been bowling for a long time; it’s not something I’ve suddenly started doing. In the IPL , because of the Impact Player rule , you don’t always see much of my bowling. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t bowled — I’ve bowled plenty. This has been a really good experience. I picked up wickets here, and I hope I can keep doing well going forward,” Dhir said after taking 3/31 on Tuesday.
In the high-scoring ODI series, which finished last week, Dhir conceded runs at only 6.3 runs per over.
“I saw Axar (Patel) bhai bowling at a slower pace and it was turning. Then I thought if I bowl a bit slow, I will get grip from the wicket and get some wickets. So I stuck to my plans and I guess the result came out,” Dhir added.
However, the 26-year-old from Faridkot said that he is still eager to get a good hit in the middle with the bat. He got only one outing with the bat in the three ODIs, where he scored 30 while batting at No. 6 at his home ground in New Chandigarh last Saturday.
“I’ll be happier when I get a chance to contribute with the bat. But for now, I’m pleased that I could help the team and be part of a win,” he said.
“I’ll be happier when I get a chance to contribute with the bat. But for now, I’m pleased that I could help the team and be part of a win,” he said.
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