Photo via India Today

Naman stars on T20I debut with three-wicket haul, joins Ojha, Axar in elite list

Naman Dhir made a standout T20I debut for India by claiming three wickets in just four overs, helping restrict West Indies to 171 runs in 19.1 overs during the first match of the series in Lucknow. His haul of 3/31 marked his immediate impact on the international stage, joining an exclusive group of Indian spinners—Pragyan Ojha and Axar Patel—as the only bowlers to take three or more wickets on their T20I debut.

The match saw West Indies start strongly under captain Shai Hope, who scored 52 off 36 balls before falling, but India’s bowlers tightened the screws in the middle overs, with Axar Patel and Dhir turning the game in their favor. Romario Shepherd, Rovman Powell, and Matthew Forde all fell to the Indian attack, while Sherfane Rutherford’s late resistance of 56 kept West Indies competitive until the end.

India’s victory set the tone for the series, with Dhir’s performance highlighting his potential as a key spinner in the team’s lineup.

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