The Mumbai Indians made some significant purchases during the IPL 2025 mega auction, filling up all 20 slots with top players like Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar. Among their acquisitions were Will Jacks and Naman Dhir, both bought for ₹5.25 crore each. Naman’s journey to this point is quite remarkable, as just two years ago, he had considered quitting cricket altogether. Despite representing Punjab at the Under-16 level, Naman’s efforts went unnoticed, and he even applied for permanent residency in Canada out of frustration.
However, Naman’s father, Naresh, encouraged him to give cricket another shot. Facing criticism from the school principal for supporting Naman’s cricket dreams, Naresh stood by his son and believed in his potential. Naman’s hard work paid off when he made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2022 and was eventually picked by the Mumbai Indians in 2023.
Naman’s talent was on full display during the IPL 2024 season, where he played 7 matches and scored 140 runs, with a best of 62 not out. This performance caught the attention of other IPL franchises like Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Despite the interest from multiple teams, Mumbai Indians used their Right to Match card to retain Naman.
Currently playing for Rajkot in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament, Naman’s potential and talent continue to shine. He remains grateful for the opportunity to play in the IPL and is determined to make the most of it. His journey from almost quitting cricket to becoming a sought-after player in the IPL is truly inspiring.
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