Naman Dhir Discusses Bowling Focus and Strategy Ahead of Final ODI Against West Indies

Naman Dhir, the Indian all-rounder, has been focusing on enhancing his bowling skills since joining the IPL. Ahead of the final ODI against the West Indies, he shared insights on his bowling strategy, role clarity, and the tactical adjustments made by the team. Despite not yet batting in the series, Dhir's discussions with senior player Ravindra Jadeja have provided him with valuable guidance. He reflects on the team's performance and expresses a desire to improve their bowling unit's effectiveness. With India leading the series 2-0, Dhir is eager to contribute to the team's success in the upcoming match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 2, 2026, 23:26 IST

Naman Dhir's Insights on Bowling

Indian all-rounder Naman Dhir has emphasized his commitment to improving his bowling skills since joining the Indian Premier League (IPL). He recently shared his thoughts with the media before the third ODI against the West Indies in Mullanpur. Dhir, who made his international debut during this series, discussed his bowling strategy, the clarity of his role within the team, and the tactical changes being implemented. In his first ODI, he bowled five overs without taking a wicket, conceding 33 runs, while in the second ODI, he recorded figures of 0/38 in 6.1 overs as the West Indies posted a formidable total of 405 runs.

Emphasis on Bowling Since Joining IPL

"I've been focusing on my bowling since the beginning. The Impact Player rule in the IPL limits bowling opportunities, but I continue to bowl for my state team, Punjab. My time with the Mumbai Indians has significantly enhanced my skills," Dhir stated, as reported by ICC. India currently leads the ODI series 2-0, with the final match set to take place in Mullanpur, a venue where Dhir has considerable experience. As a right-arm spin-bowling all-rounder, he has yet to bat in this series, having received his first ODI call-up and replaced Washington Sundar in the T20I squad.

Bowling Strategy and Guidance from Jadeja

"I aimed to utilize the longer boundary for right-handed batsmen," Dhir explained. "I kept my strategy straightforward; if I was hit towards the long boundary, I accepted it, focusing on executing my plan without overthinking. I had extensive discussions with Ravindra Jadeja, who provided me with simple yet effective plans tailored to the batsman and the match situation. His advice has been invaluable to me," he added.

Reflections on Bowling Performance

The second ODI in Guwahati was a high-scoring affair, but Dhir believes the Indian bowling unit could have performed better in limiting the West Indies' score. "We need to improve as a bowling unit and aim to restrict the West Indies to a lower total," he remarked. "The pitch in Guwahati was favorable for batting, and we could have employed more effective bowling strategies to minimize run leakage. However, the bounce in South Africa, the venue for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, will benefit fast bowlers greatly."

Understanding His Role in the Team

The 26-year-old all-rounder expressed appreciation for the clear communication from the team management regarding his role. "I was informed that I would be batting at positions 6 or 7 and was prepared to serve as the fifth or sixth bowler. The thought of batting is always present, regardless of the match situation. Nonetheless, it was satisfying to win convincingly while chasing a substantial total."

Squads for the ODI Series

West Indies Squad: John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (w/c), Amir Jangoo, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Matthew Forde, Jewel Andrew.

India Squad: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (w), Naman Dhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Anshul Kamboj.