Naman Dhir on bowling work, Jadeja conversations and role ahead of third ODI vs West Indies

Naman Dhir made his India ODI debut in the ongoing series against the West Indies. India already hold a 2-0 lead heading into the third match, which will be played in Mullanpur. The series so far has been high scoring for the West Indies, producing big totals in the first two games.

Dhir says he has spent more time on his bowling since entering the Indian Premier League. He noted that the Impact Player rule in the IPL limits bowling opportunities for some players, but that he consistently bowls for his state side, Punjab. He specifically mentioned the Mumbai Indians camp as having helped his bowling development.

What he has bowled so far in the series

Dhir has bowled in both completed matches but is yet to bat for India in this series. His two spells:

• First ODI: five overs for 33 runs (no wickets), when West Indies posted 295/7.
• Second ODI: 6.1 overs for 38 runs (no wickets), in a match where the West Indies scored 405/7.

Dhir described practical discussions with senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja offered straightforward, match-specific plans: bowl to the batter and the situation rather than overcomplicate fields or variations. Dhir said those tips helped him stay disciplined when bowling, especially on pitches that favored batters.

Assessment of team bowling performance

Dhir acknowledged that India's bowlers could have done better, especially in Guwahati where the wicket played very well for batters. He pointed to opportunities for improved plans to prevent run leakage. He also referenced conditions likely in South Africa for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, saying there will be more bounce that will suit pacers.

Team management gave Dhir clear instructions: he is expected to bat at No. 6 or 7 and to be used as the fifth or sixth bowling option. That role explains why he has not yet batted in the series. Dhir said he prepared mentally for that usage and focused on fulfilling the role assigned.

India have already clinched the series with two wins. The final ODI takes place in Mullanpur, a venue where Dhir has considerable local experience. Squads named in the report include:

• West Indies: John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (w/c), Amir Jangoo, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Matthew Forde, Jewel Andrew.
• India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (w), Naman Dhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Anshul Kamboj.

For Dhir personally: more opportunities to bowl in the final ODI and the chance to bat if match situations require. For India: an opportunity to fine-tune bowling plans and execution before larger calendar events, with the team aware of the need to control run rates on batting-friendly surfaces.