Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes Naman Dhir has been selected for his off-spin for the ODI series against the West Indies. Dhir has scalped seven wickets in 14 List A matches for Punjab.

Dhir has scored 710 runs in 37 IPL matches for Mumbai Indians at an average of 27.31 and a strike rate of 163.98. The right-hander from Punjab has scored 351 runs in 14 List A matches at an average of 39 and a strike rate of 106.36. Thus, Dhir’s selection took a lot of experts by surprise but Pathan has put his weight behind the Punjab player.

Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports, “I really admire him, and he has great talent. But he has been selected more for his off-spin bowling skill than his domestic performances. Because it’s not as if there aren’t other better-performing players in domestic cricket. His bowling skill is missing from the Indian team without Washington Sundar and with Riyan Parag injured.”

On the other hand, Pathan reckons Yashasvi Jaiswal must play regularly in the ODI format for India. 

“My eyes will be mainly on Jaiswal in this series. I want to see how much of an opportunity he gets in this series. He is certain to be the back-up opener for the 2027 World Cup. It should not be that he has not gotten enough game time going into South Africa for the World Cup. So whenever the opportunity arises, he must play regularly,” said Pathan (via the aforementioned source).

Jaiswal scored a fine century in his last ODI game against Afghanistan, scoring a fine knock of 110 runs off 86 balls. The left-hander has scored 285 runs in six ODI matches at an average of 71.25, including two centuries. 

The first ODI between India and the West Indies will be played on 27th September.