New PCA Stadium: A tough phase during the Covid-19 pandemic almost saw batting all-rounder Naman Dhir shift base to Canada, but a crucial push from his father to give cricket another shot for a year has brought him to play for India at his home ground with his parents watching from the stands.
Faridkot-based Dhir is set to feature in the third ODI at the New PCA Stadium against the West Indies, an occasion that carries deep personal significance for him. “After Covid-19 in 2020 and 2021, I was thinking of migrating to Canada where my sisters live because I hadn't gotten any break.
“At under 16, I played for Punjab. But after that, I didn’t get any chance. But my dad said, ‘Let's take one more year. Let's give it your all this year.’ Luckily, I got picked for Ranji Trophy and after that, I was picked for IPL and then the journey started,” Dhir said in a chat with broadcasters ahead of the start of third ODI.