Mumbai Indians staged a strong comeback after a top-order collapse that left them reeling at 36/3, posting a competitive 155/9 against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk on Sunday. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma led the fightback with a 51-run fourth-wicket stand off 35 balls.
However, once they fell in quick succession, the responsibility shifted to Naman Dhir, who kept the innings alive despite wickets falling at the other end. The 25-year-old looked in control, reaching 17 runs, and could have added more had it not been for a moment of brilliance from Noor Ahmad.
The Afghan spinner came on to bowl his final over in the 17th, facing off against Dhir. Noor, bowling over the wicket, delivered a yorker-length ball outside leg stump. Dhir attempted a sweep, but the ball pitched just outside his reach.
Everyone expected a wide call, considering Noor’s natural turn as a left-arm wrist-spinner, but the ball sharply spun across, clipping Dhir’s legs and crashing into the middle stump, leaving the batter stunned.
— david Miller (@MillerDavi20894) March 23, 2025
Dhoni behind the stumps appeared impressed by the quality of the delivery, and Twitterati showered praise on the young Afghan spinner, who finished with match-winning figures of 4/18 from four overs.