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The Mumbai Indians batter Naman Dhir has received his India cap from captain Shubman Gill ahead of the first ODI against West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram. The all-rounder is now set to make his international debut as India begin the three-match ODI series.
Naman Dhir has earned his maiden India call-up after impressing in domestic cricket and the IPL. He will be hoping to make an immediate impact in his first appearance at the international level.
Naman Dhir makes India debut against West Indies
India will face West Indies in the opening ODI on September 27, with the second and third matches scheduled in Guwahati and New Chandigarh respectively.
Naman Dhir is set to make his international debut for India in the first ODI against West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram after receiving his maiden India cap from captain Shubman Gill.
Naman Dhir has scored 351 runs in 14 List A matches at an average of 39 and a strike rate of 106.36, including four half-centuries. In T20 cricket, he has 1,222 runs from 61 matches at a strike rate of 156.26, while he has also represented Mumbai Indians in the IPL, scoring 710 runs in 37 matches at a strike rate of 163.97.
I think we've got a pretty decent combination - Shubman Gill
India captain Shubman Gill said the team has settled on a combination featuring four specialist bowlers and two all-rounders for the opening ODI. With several players unavailable due to the Asian Games, Gill believes the series provides an opportunity to assess India's options ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“We're gonna bowl first. Looks a pretty good surface. Looks like a decent surface, very hot, so I think it'll come a little bit better under lights, so we'll try to chase.
“I mean, I think we've got a pretty decent combination here, going with four bowlers and two all-rounders. I think 20-odd matches to go before the World Cup starts, so I think this is the time to see what combination suits us the best and then give that combination as much time in the middle as possible,” Gill said at the toss.
Preparation's been good - Shubman Gill
Gill also provided an update on India's preparations for the home season and confirmed that Dhir would feature alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy as one of the two all-rounders.
“Preparation's been good. The weather's been a little bit up and down, raining here and there, but still I think the preparation has been pretty good.
“We are going with four bowlers and then two all-rounders with Reddy and Naman, who makes his debut,” Gill added.
West Indies (Playing XI): John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope(w/c), Amir Jangoo, Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul(w), Naman Dhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna
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