Naman Dhir's 31 off 17 shifts momentum in India's four-wicket win
Naman Dhir's quickfire 31 helped India chase down 181 against New Zealand with one ball to spare.
Naman Dhir scored 31 runs off 17 balls, including three sixes, to help India recover from 70 for five while chasing 181 against New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday. His innings shifted the momentum before Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy added an unbroken 69-run partnership to complete a four-wicket victory with one ball remaining.
Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane said Dhir's knock changed the game completely after Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell had dominated the first 14 overs. Dhir joined Tilak at the crease and added 42 runs in four overs, taking most of the strike during that period.
India captain Shreyas Iyer acknowledged the team feared the game was slipping away after consecutive wickets but credited Dhir, Tilak and Nitish for showing character. Dhir now has 73 runs from two innings at a strike rate above 220 in the series.
CricHubb Take
Dhir's ability to accelerate under pressure in both matches of the series suggests India may have found a middle-order option who can bat at number six or seven in high-stakes chases.