Proving what the selectors might have seen

Spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin was highly impressed with Naman Dhir‘s performance in the first T20I against New Zealand. He played a huge role in India’s four-wicket victory in the series opener.

The Men in Blue chased down 226 in 19.4 overs, which was their highest successful run chase. Naman Dhir slammed an unbeaten 42 off just 15 balls with five fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 280. Ashwin praised the youngster for repaying the faith shown in him by the selectors.

“What class batting it was from Naman Dhir. He is justifying his selection time and again. His track record and credentials are not really there. So there was a point. But he is really proving what the selectors may have seen in him,” he said on ‘Ash ki Baat‘.

Further, Ashwin reckoned that India have found a great finisher in Naman Dhir. He praised the 26-year-old for maintaining composure under pressure and getting the job done. The Indian legend reflected that Dhir proved his worth and showed what he was capable of doing.

“Naman stamped his authority as a finisher. We have found a great player as a finisher. Whatever the selectors saw was absolutely right. There was still pressure on. But he did not use power, he relied on timing. This happens only when someone is in control. Class written all over. For me, there is a lot of worth in him. Just a class operator.”

Batting down the order, Naman has scored 80 runs in five T20I innings so far at an average of 40.00 and a scintillating strike rate of 285.71.

Ravichandran Ashwin lauds Team India opener for match-winning knock

Ravichandran Ashwin also lauded Team India opener Sanju Samson for his brilliant innings that set the tone for the chase. He highlighted how Samson relied more on timing and accessing the gaps, rather than looking to play powerful shots. The spin legend also remarked that the opening partnership between Samson and Abhishek Sharma took the game away from New Zealand.

“Sanju batted very smartly. The pull shot that he played was in front of square. He did not look to muscle the ball, which he does often. He depended more on timing and played some classy shots. It was just exceptional. Sanju and Abhishek put the New Zealand fast bowlers under so much pressure that they could just not come back from there. Shreyas Iyer batted very calmly, and he was composed. But the reason for that was the start they got in the powerplay,” he said.

Samson scored 67 runs off just 33 balls with eight fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 203.03. The opening duo got India off to a blazing start, adding 93 runs within the powerplay.

Edited by Rishab Vm