Ajit Agarkar questioned over Naman Dhir’s ODI call-up: “How is it possible?”

India batter Hanuma Vihari has questioned Naman Dhir’s selection in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against West Indies. Naman Dhir has received his maiden ODI call-up despite having limited experience in 50-over cricket.

Hanuma Vihari raised concerns over the Mumbai Indians batter’s domestic numbers while acknowledging his recent performances in T20 cricket. Dhir has played only 14 List A matches, scoring 351 runs at an average of 39.00, while his most recent headline-making performance came in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League.

Naman Dhir receives surprise ODI call-up for West Indies series

India will begin their three-match ODI series against West Indies on September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram, with the remaining two matches scheduled in Guwahati and New Chandigarh. The series overlaps with India’s Asian Games commitments, leading to changes across the white-ball squads.

Among the notable additions to the ODI squad is Naman Dhir, who has been rewarded with his first international call-up. The 26-year-old is primarily a middle-order batter and bowls right-arm off-spin.

His List A record currently stands at 14 matches, 11 innings, 351 runs, four fifties and a highest score of 97. He has also taken seven wickets in the format. In first-class cricket, Dhir has scored 669 runs in 20 matches at an average of 23.06, while his T20 record includes 1,222 runs in 61 matches at a strike rate of 156.26.

Dhir’s IPL numbers are considerably more established. Across 37 matches for Mumbai Indians, he has scored 710 runs at a strike rate of 163.97, including three fifties. His best IPL score is 62*. In IPL 2026, he made 318 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 147.22.

The call-up came shortly after Dhir produced a remarkable 173 off 64 balls for Amritsar Soormas in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League. However, Vihari questioned whether his overall record was sufficient to justify an ODI selection.

I have my doubts, and it is shocking – Hanuma Vihari on Naman Dhir’s selection

Hanuma Vihari acknowledged that the ODI squad has undergone several changes because of the overlapping Asian Games schedule. However, he questioned Naman Dhir’s selection and suggested that his ability to contribute with the ball could have influenced the decision.

“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,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.

“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.

I feel Ruturaj Gaikwad should get an opportunity at number four – Hanuma Vihari

Hanuma Vihari also discussed India’s middle-order options and backed Ruturaj Gaikwad to take the number-four position. He pointed to Ruturaj Gaikwad’s previous ODI performances and argued that the batter should get an opportunity in the role.

“I feel Ruturaj Gaikwad should get an opportunity at number four. If there is anyone who should take Shreyas Iyer‘s place in that middle order, it should be Gaikwad. There should be no second thought. If you remember the South Africa series, he scored a century. Even Jaiswal has scored runs, but if you talk about the middle order, Gaikwad should definitely get a chance at number four,” he said.

Hanuma Vihari also welcomed Ravindra Jadeja’s return to India’s ODI setup and compared his 50-over value with Axar Patel’s.

“I am so happy to see Jadeja back in the ODI setup. I feel he has still got it in him. If you compare Axar and Jadeja, I don’t know who is a better player as a package, but I feel Jadeja in the 50-over format is still your go-to man, even for the World Cup. In T20 cricket, Axar is slightly better. But in ODI cricket, where you have some time, be it in batting or bowling, Jadeja is a better package than Axar,” Hanuma Vihari added.

Source: cricketaddictor.com