Naman Dhir's 173 off 64 balls powers Amritsar Soormas to 67-run win
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Naman Dhir blazed a record-breaking 173 off just 64 deliveries on 8 September to propel Amritsar Soormas to a commanding 67-run victory over Mohali Kings in the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League at the I.S. Bindra Stadium, Mohali. Amritsar posted a mammoth 279/7 in 20 overs before restricting Mohali to 212/9, sealing one of the most dominant performances in the tournament so far.
Dhir's Record-Breaking Assault
Opening the innings, the right-handed Naman Dhir took the attack to Mohali's bowlers from the very first ball. He struck 16 fours and 12 sixes in an innings that was as calculated as it was explosive, consistently finding the gaps while also clearing the ropes with ease. His strike rate and boundary count made it virtually impossible for any bowling combination to contain him.
At the end of the fifth over, Amritsar were 63/2 when Jashanpreet Singh walked to the crease and immediately shifted gears alongside Dhir. The pair put on a blistering 120-run partnership for the third wicket, wresting control of the match and laying the foundation for a massive total.
Soormas Build a Mammoth Total
Jashanpreet Singh fell for a brisk 41 off 25 balls, but Dhir showed no signs of slowing down. Late contributions from Abhishek Sharma (13 off 4) and Abhay Choudhary (20 off 10) helped Amritsar surge past the 270-run mark and eventually finish on 279/7. For Mohali Kings, Ayush Goyal was the most successful bowler, claiming four wickets — though his figures of 4/43 in four overs illustrated the difficulty of bowling in such conditions.
Mohali's Chase Falls Apart
Chasing 280, Mohali Kings never found the rhythm required to mount a credible challenge. Wickets fell at regular intervals, and no meaningful partnership could be sustained. Jaskaranvir Paul fought valiantly, top-scoring with 76 off 41 balls, but received little support from the other end. His dismissal effectively ended whatever slim hopes remained for the Kings.
For Amritsar, Shubham Rana was outstanding with the ball, returning figures of 4/30 in four overs. His wickets at crucial junctures repeatedly broke any budding partnerships, ensuring Mohali never got close to the target. The Kings were eventually bowled out for 212/9 in their 20 overs.
Why This Performance Stands Out
A score of 173 off 64 balls in T20 cricket is a rare and extraordinary feat at any level. Dhir's innings — combining power hitting with boundary placement — placed immense pressure on the Mohali bowling attack from the outset and effectively decided the contest well before the halfway mark of Amritsar's innings. Notably, the 279/7 total is among the highest recorded in the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League, underscoring the scale of Amritsar's dominance on the day.
With this result, Amritsar Soormas will look to carry this momentum forward in the tournament, while Mohali Kings face a significant challenge in rebuilding confidence after conceding such a large total.