Naman Dhir, Mumbai Indians’ all-rounder debuted this year in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 but was restricted to triumph. Managing to bag only 78 runs in six fixtures at a strike rate of 152.04, Naman failed to make an impact in that game. The 24-year-old batter from Punjab mentioned that he has acquired his lessons from losing matches rather than winning and said that the team will have their last battle against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Wankhede Stadium, ensuring a last victory before concluding their campaign.
I learned a lot this season- Naman Dhir
In the pre-match press conference of the MI vs LSG match, Dhir mentioned that:
“I think sometimes failures teach you more and I learned a lot this season, understanding how to remain calm when things are not going well for you, learning how one should approach various situations and try and build their innings,”
“We will play for our pride. We want to win this match and end the campaign on a winning note. It is an opportunity for youngsters to showcase their talent. It has not been a great season for us but we have always tried to give our best in each match,” Naman Dhir, the off-break bowler mentioned.
Dhir made quite an impression during the 2023 Ranji Trophy season with his batting prowess, especially scoring two centuries in just eight matches for Punjab. Being picked by Mumbai Indians indicates that his performance caught the eye of talent scouts, and they see potential in him to contribute to their team.
Dhir’s role as a finisher, as described by the Mumbai Indians website, suggested that he excelled in batting during the latter stages of an innings, particularly in closing out games under pressure. This skill would be invaluable in T20 cricket, where matches often came down to the wire.
Dhir had a fantastic opportunity to learn from some of the best in the game! Learning from experienced coaches like Kieron Pollard and Mark Boucher provided him with invaluable insights, and observed the techniques and strategies of top batters like Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav.
Dhir also observed players from different teams and was hoping to interact with them to gain some advice but was unable to do so except for the Punjab Kings (PBKS).
Naman Dhir concluded by saying:
“Sometimes we batted well or sometimes we bowled well. The coaches have also spoken with us that it was not our season, yet we worked hard. Yes, Jasprit bhai did not get enough support for his bowling in some matches, but we will learn from it.”
Jasprit Bumrah ahs bagged 20 wickets in this IPL edition making him the lone star of the Mumbai Indians.