Former Indian cricketer and analyst Hanuma Vihari has slammed the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, for picking the middle-order batter Naman Dhir for the upcoming three-match home ODI series against the West Indies.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Vihari reckoned that Naman’s numbers aren’t convincing apart from one standout knock, which came in the just-concluded Sher-e-Punjab T20 League, where he scored a 64-ball 173.
“There are many changes in the ODI team, of course, because the Asian Games is happening at the same time. But they have picked Naman Dhir. How is it possible? His domestic numbers are not convincing. Yes, he played a big knock in the Punjab league, and even for Mumbai Indians he has won some games, but it has been up and down. I have my doubts, and it is shocking,” Vihari said on his YouTube channel.
Additionally, Vihari reckoned that the only reason behind Naman Dhir’s selection is his ability to bowl. In List A cricket, Naman has amassed 351 runs and scalped seven wickets in 14 matches.
“The only reason I can think of is that, yes, he is a good batter, but he can also bowl. In the ODI setup, there is no one in the top six who can bowl well. Jadeja has come back. But who else bowls in the top six? I think that is why they brought Naman Dhir,” he added.
India’s ODI team vs West Indies: Shubman Gill [C], Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul [VC], Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Naman Dhir.
