Naman Dhir, a key player for the Mumbai Indians, opened up about the tightrope he walks between being fearless and reckless when it comes to batting in the tense final overs of a match. He explained that he’s always aware of this fine line. It’s crucial that his aggressive game doesn’t end up hurting his team’s chances of winning. When asked if he feels anxious about failing as he steps in to bat during those pressure-packed moments, he replied flatly. If he starts worrying about messing up, he won’t be able to play his natural game.
Dhir mentioned how the team management has put their faith in him, telling him that he’ll be tasked with batting in the death overs. They encouraged him to go out there and play freely. Just express yourself, they said, but the catch is to keep that careful balance in mind. He knows it’s a delicate dance that he needs to master every time he goes out to make an impact with the bat.
As the Mumbai Indians gear up for a crucial match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Wankhede Stadium, Dhir is aware of what’s at stake. With both teams sitting at the bottom of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 points table, each has only four points. A win is crucial. They’re both coming into this match on a high after their last outings. Mumbai squeezed out a close 12-run victory over Delhi Capitals, while SRH cruised past Punjab Kings, winning by eight wickets after chasing down a hefty target of 245 runs.
Naman got real about the need for the Mumbai Indians to rack up more wins. He said they look at each game like it’s a fresh start. Every match is like our first one of the tournament, and we just need to focus on winning, he shared. He stressed that it’s a one-match-at-a-time mindset for everyone on the team.
Reflecting on their recent win against Delhi, Dhir noted how important it was for their morale. He felt that their comeback in that match was impressive and credited both the fielders and bowlers for their contributions. The whole team really came together for that win, he said enthusiastically.
When it comes to his batting role, Dhir pointed out that he’s been instructed to come in during the last overs and play aggressively to score as many runs as possible. His coach, Mahela Jayawardene, has made it clear about the expectations for him in that position. Up until a recent match where Rohit Sharma was injured, he got a shot at batting third.
But it’s not just about batting for Dhir. He’s also been putting in the effort on the field. He mentioned how much he enjoys fielding and always aims to give 200% during matches. I hope I can catch more balls too, he added, his passion evident. Hailing from Ambala in Haryana, he has a solid background, playing for Punjab in domestic cricket where he scored over 600 runs in 11 First-Class matches.
Dhir noted that he’s always learning from the more experienced players around him, especially from Suryakumar Yadav and others in the Mumbai Indians lineup. They share their insights, and he takes their advice to heart. He pointed out how he had to adapt his role in the IPL since he usually plays as a top-order batter in domestic games. Right after the auction, he was informed that he would mostly bat lower down the order. Since then, he’s been preparing himself for that challenge.
Working closely with batting coach Kieron Pollard, captain Hardik Pandya, and seasoned teammates, Dhir is keen to absorb as much knowledge as he can. He’s learning about handling tricky situations and figuring out the best times to play certain shots. His journey is ongoing, and he seems eager to keep improving.
