Former Indian Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara rated Naman Dhir as better bowler than a part-timer after India secured an eight-wicket win against the West Indies in the first T20I at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, on Tuesday.
Dhir returned with impressive bowling figures of 3-31 in his quota of four overs while making his T20I debut. The all-rounder from Punjab accounted for in-form West Indies captain Shai Hope, Romario Shepherd, and Shamar Springer.
Cheteshwar Pujara said on Cricinfo, “Before picking all three of his wickets, he conceded a six. So, he made a good comeback. He knew where he wanted to bowl. He was varying the pace really well. Also, he bowled with a slingy action. So he made a lot of corrections in his deliveries. You can’t do that if you are a part-timer.
“He’s a decent bowler. You can’t expect him to bowl four overs in each and every game. But he has shown that potential that he’s slightly better than a part-timer,” the 38-year-old went on to add.
Pujara added that Dhir has the ability to give some overs as a batter and he can be a great prospect for the team in the white-ball formats.
“He has got great potential when it comes to white-ball cricket. I’m sure if he improves his batting and bowling both, he can be part of India’s squad, whether it’s the ODI cricket or the T20 format. India is looking at a batter who can give some overs. And Naman Dhir, I think he has that ability.
“There’s no question about his batting because the way he has performed in the IPL, but when it comes to his bowling, if he can give two to three overs regularly in the T20 format, he will definitely have the potential to be part of this squad,” Pujara added.
The second T20I between India and the West Indies will be played at Ranchi on Friday.
