Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane has praised Naman Dhir for his crucial contribution in India’s four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second T20I at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Saturday, October 24. Rahane credited the Mumbai Indians batter for changing the momentum of the chase with an aggressive innings under pressure. After being asked to bat first, New Zealand posted 180/5, with Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs scoring half-centuries.
India struggled during the chase and slipped to 70/5 before Dhir’s quickfire knock helped the visitors regain control. Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy eventually completed the chase with one ball remaining. Speaking during a discussion on Sony Sports, Rahane highlighted how New Zealand’s spinners had controlled the contest before Dhir’s arrival at the crease. The right-hander scored 31 runs off just 17 deliveries, striking three sixes and a four to put pressure back on the hosts.
“What a turnaround. In the first 14-15 overs, if you see Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell’s spells, they dominated. I feel Naman Dhir’s innings changed the game completely. He took the risk there. He played a brave innings,” Ajinkya Rahane said.
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He also explained that Dhir’s attacking approach shifted the momentum before Tilak and Nitish took responsibility for finishing the match. “He hit three sixes in between. He scored 31 runs off 17 balls. I think the entire momentum changed from there, and Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy finished the game after that,” he added.
Rahane further pointed to India’s strength in having multiple match-winners capable of delivering in difficult situations. Former India captain Ajay Jadeja also praised Dhir for taking the fight to New Zealand’s spinners when India’s other batters were struggling to score freely. Dhir joined Tilak with India at 70/5 after 10.5 overs. The pair added 42 runs in four overs, with Dhir scoring quickly and relieving the pressure on his partner.
Ajay Jadeja noted that Dhir maintained the scoring momentum even when Santner was bowling economically. “He scored his runs at a stage when Mitchell Santner had conceded nine or 10 runs in almost three overs. He finished his over well,” Jadeja said.
He added that Dhir capitalised on an opportunity against Michael Bracewell after showing patience against Santner. Ajay Jadeja also observed that Dhir might have been disappointed to lose his wicket after doing the difficult work of rebuilding India’s chase.
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“All Indian batters were struggling against spin or were having difficulties against it, and he made as much impact against them. He would be disappointed with himself because he got out at that stage. He left after doing the difficult job,” he remarked.
Dhir struck a six off the final ball of Santner’s third over before hitting a four and another six against Bracewell. He eventually fell to Santner, but his contribution helped India recover and set up a memorable victory in the second T20I.
