Batting background helps Naman Dhir read rival players during bowling

India allrounder Naman Dhir says his skills as a batter help him read rival players better when he is bowling. Dhir is currently playing his debut series for the country against the West Indies. During the third T20I match in Indore, Dhir took the wickets of Kamil Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer when both batters were trying to score fast and take the game away from India. Pooran hit him for three sixes in one over, but Dhir stayed calm and got him out on the final ball of the over. Earlier, Hetmyer hit him for a four and a six before Dhir dismissed him on the final ball of that over too.

Insights From The Crease

Dhir told JioStar that being a batter helps him notice a player's stance, backlift, guard, and the shots they want to play. He said he did not plan to give away three sixes before taking a wicket against Pooran. Pooran wanted to play shots toward the leg side and create room to free his arms, so Dhir wanted to cramp him for room. Dhir noted that he made a few mistakes on the first two balls, but knew the batter would take a chance because the run rate was high and the batter was set. Pooran eventually got out playing the exact shot Dhir wanted, getting caught at square-leg.

Bowling Plan

Dhir also relies on discipline in line and length, along with pace variations, to succeed with his off-spin. He stated that as an off-spinner without many variations, he must depend on line, length, and pace changes. He added that in T20 cricket, trying to take a wicket is often the best defensive option because getting a batter out stops the runs.

Context

Allrounders in cricket often use their knowledge of one skill to improve their performance in another part of the game. Reading a batter's body language and stance is a common method bowlers use to anticipate big shots in the short format of cricket.