Naman Dhir made an impressive start to his T20 international career by taking three wickets in India’s eight wicket victory over West Indies in Lucknow.
Playing his first T20I for India, Dhir finished with figures of 4-0-31-3.
His three wickets came during an important period when West Indies were attempting to build a strong total through Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford.
India eventually bowled West Indies out for 171 in 19.1 overs.
Shreyas Iyer then hit an unbeaten 102 from 43 balls as India chased the target in 14.4 overs.
Dhir brought into the attack after West Indies recovery
West Indies had struggled during the Powerplay and were 44 for 3 after six overs.
Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford then rebuilt the innings.
The visitors reached 82 for 3 after 10 overs and crossed 100 in the following over.
Hope was looking settled and completed his fifty from 36 balls.
India needed another breakthrough.
Dhir provided it.
Shai Hope becomes Dhir’s first T20I wicket
Hope attacked Dhir and struck him for six.
The debutant responded immediately.
He slowed the next phase of his bowling and Hope was caught by Axar Patel.
The West Indies captain departed for 52 from 37 balls.
His innings contained six fours and two sixes.
The wicket left West Indies at 107 for 4.
Dhir removes Shepherd and Springer
Romario Shepherd was Dhir’s second wicket.
Shepherd had scored 7 from five balls, including a six, before he was caught by Tilak Varma.
West Indies were then 121 for 6.
Dhir picked up his third wicket when Shamar Springer was caught by Axar Patel.
Springer made 9 from seven balls.
Dhir completed his four overs with figures of 3 for 31 and an economy rate of 7.75.
He also bowled 11 dot balls.
India’s spinners take seven wickets
Dhir was not the only Indian spinner to make an impact.
Axar Patel took 2 for 26 from 3.1 overs.
He bowled Rovman Powell for a duck and later dismissed Akeal Hosein for 15.
Kuldeep Yadav returned 2 for 33 from four overs.
He dismissed Roston Chase and Matthew Forde.
Between them, Dhir, Axar and Kuldeep took seven wickets.
Arshdeep Singh dismissed Kamil Pooran, Mayank Yadav removed Sherfane Rutherford and Shimron Hetmyer was run out.
West Indies were eventually bowled out for 171 with five balls of their innings remaining.
Rutherford top scores for West Indies
Sherfane Rutherford was West Indies’ highest scorer.
He made 56 from 34 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes.
He reached his fifty from 31 deliveries.
Hope contributed 52 while Hosein made 15 and Kamil Pooran scored 12.
West Indies had recovered from 44 for 3 but a series of wickets through the middle overs prevented them from building a bigger total.
Successful debut ends with India victory
Dhir’s first T20I became even more memorable when India completed the chase comfortably.
Iyer’s unbeaten century and Ishan Kishan’s 37 not out from 27 balls carried India to 172 for 2.
India won by eight wickets and went 1-0 ahead in the five match series.
Dhir therefore finished his T20I debut with three wickets and a winning start to his international career.
