The Indian team defeated New Zealand by 4 wickets in the first T20 match. In this high-scoring match played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on Thursday (22 October), Team India had got a huge target of 226 runs. While chasing the target, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma gave an explosive start but the innings faltered as soon as they were out. After 10.3 overs the score was 122/4.
Captain Shreyas Iyer along with Akshar Patel handled the innings from here. Akshar was out on a total score of 167. At this time India needed 59 runs in 33 balls. Shreyas got the support of Naman Dheer and both of them took the team beyond 200. Young all-rounder Naman Dheer continuously played big shots, which did not put pressure on Shreyas. When Shreyas was out on the first ball of the 19th over, India needed 16 runs in 11 balls.
Naman showed amazing patience from here and gave victory to Team India in just 2 balls. This was India's most successful run chase in T20 cricket. Naman scored unbeaten 42 runs in 15 balls with the help of 5 fours and 2 sixes. He started his T20 International career this month and proved the faith of the team management right by playing a match-winning inning in the sixth match itself.
Also read: India made a record as soon as it went to New Zealand, chased the target of 226 in the first T20
Naman Dheer has become the trump card of Team India
26-year-old Naman Dhir has scored 341 runs in T20 during the death overs at a strike rate of 204.19. Along with explosive batting in the lower middle order, he also bowls off-spin. He did not get a chance to bowl in the first T20 match against New Zealand but he has proved in the series against West Indies that he should not be considered a part-timer. He can be used as a trump card against left-handed batsmen in the middle overs.
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Naman has the ability to change the course of the match even with the ball – Shreyas
Shreyas also admitted that his bowling can change the course of the match. “He gives us a lot of options,” he said. His off-spin can prove useful especially against left-handed batsmen. His two-three important overs can change the course of the match. The Indian captain further said, 'I personally liked his calm and composed nature very much. The way he batted today was great to watch.