Naman Dhir Smashes 173 Off 64 Balls: 12 Sixes in Sher-e-Punjab T20 League

Naman Dhir’s sensational 173 in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League 2026 has become one of the biggest batting highlights of the tournament. Representing Amritsar Soormas against Mohali Kings on September 8, the Mumbai Indians all-rounder transformed a slow start into an extraordinary assault.

Dhir smashed 173 runs from only 64 deliveries, striking 16 fours and 12 sixes during an innings that powered Amritsar Soormas to a huge 279/7. His explosive performance gave Mohali Kings a massive target and ultimately proved decisive as Soormas completed a 67-run victory.

The innings was particularly impressive because Dhir initially struggled to get going. He faced three consecutive dot balls at the beginning, but once he found his rhythm, the right-hander launched an attack that left the Mohali bowling unit searching for answers.

Naman Dhir’s 173: Innings at a glance

Dhir’s strike rate of more than 270 underlines the scale of his hitting. His 173 accounted for a huge portion of the Soormas’ total and provided the foundation for one of the most imposing team scores of the competition.

Dhir turns a quiet start into a batting storm

Dhir opened the innings for Amritsar Soormas after Mohali Kings captain Ramandeep Singh chose to bowl first. The start was anything but explosive, with the batter unable to score from his first three deliveries.

However, the early dots soon became irrelevant. Once Dhir opened his account, he began finding boundaries regularly and quickly shifted the pressure back onto the bowlers.

During the powerplay, he produced an exceptional acceleration. Dhir finished the first six overs with 53 runs from just 19 balls, setting the tone for what would become a remarkable individual innings.

The ability to recover from a quiet opening and reach such a scoring rate demonstrates the value of maintaining intent in T20 cricket. Dhir did not allow the early dot balls to affect his approach.

Three sixes and 30 runs in one over

One of the defining moments of Dhir’s innings came in the 12th over against Lovedeep Chatha. The bowler had been involved in Dhir’s slow start, but the rematch later in the innings produced a completely different result.

Dhir attacked the over with a combination of fours and sixes. He struck two boundaries and then cleared the ropes three times in succession. A no-ball added further damage, taking the total cost of the over to 30 runs.

The sequence illustrated how quickly a T20 innings can change. What began with three dot balls against the same bowler ultimately turned into one of the most expensive overs of the match.

Dhir continued the momentum and reached his century from only 38 balls, putting him firmly on course for a huge individual score.

From 100 to 150 in just 16 balls

Dhir’s acceleration became even more remarkable after reaching his hundred. Rather than slowing down, he continued attacking the bowlers and moved towards the 150-run mark at extraordinary speed.

In the 16th over, he struck Harpreet Brar for two sixes to complete his 150 from 54 deliveries. That meant he needed only 16 balls to move from 100 to 150.

His ability to maintain such a high scoring rate deep into the innings was crucial for Amritsar. With wickets available around him, Dhir could continue taking risks and targeting the boundary.

His innings eventually ended on the fourth delivery of the final over, but by then the damage had already been done.

Amritsar Soormas post 279/7

Dhir’s innings helped Amritsar Soormas finish on 279/7. Abhay Choudhary also made a useful contribution with a 10-ball 20, while other batters supported Dhir during the huge total.

Mohali Kings did manage to take wickets throughout the innings, with Ayush Goyal claiming four wickets. However, the bowling breakthroughs were not enough to prevent Soormas from reaching a daunting score.

The 279-run total placed enormous pressure on Mohali’s batting lineup. Even with more than 20 overs available, the required scoring rate was always going to make the chase difficult.

Mohali Kings fight back but fall 67 runs short

Mohali Kings showed some resistance during their chase. Jaskaranvir Paul scored 76 from 41 balls, while Anmolpreet Singh added 52 from 25 deliveries.

Both batters produced aggressive knocks and gave Mohali hope of mounting a serious challenge. However, the required run rate remained extremely demanding after Soormas’ massive first-innings total.

Mohali Kings eventually finished on 212/9, falling 67 runs short of the target.

The result meant Dhir’s huge individual performance translated directly into a convincing team victory. His innings was not simply spectacular on the scorecard; it changed the entire complexion of the match.

Naman Dhir misses Chris Gayle’s 175-run T20 record

Dhir’s 173 was close to one of the most famous individual scores in T20 cricket. He finished just two runs short of Chris Gayle’s 175, a landmark associated with one of the format’s most celebrated power hitters.

It is important to note that Sher-e-Punjab T20 League performances are not added to official overall T20 records in the same way as recognised professional T20 statistics. Therefore, comparisons with established global T20 records need to be viewed in the context of the competition.

Nevertheless, scoring 173 from 64 balls with 12 sixes remains an extraordinary display of hitting and highlights Dhir’s ability to dominate a bowling attack.

Why this innings matters for Mumbai Indians

Dhir’s performance could also attract attention from Mumbai Indians supporters ahead of the next IPL season. The all-rounder already has experience in the franchise environment, and an innings of this magnitude strengthens the argument for giving him greater responsibility with the bat.

His ability to score quickly is particularly valuable in modern T20 cricket, where teams increasingly look for batters capable of changing a game within a handful of overs.

The more interesting question for Mumbai Indians will be whether Dhir can translate this type of domestic T20 dominance into consistent IPL performances. One exceptional innings cannot guarantee a higher batting position, but it certainly gives the player a strong platform to make that case.

Could Naman Dhir bat higher for MI?

Dhir’s role with Mumbai Indians will depend on team balance and the franchise’s preferred batting combination. However, his 173 demonstrates that he can handle responsibility at the top of the order.

Opening the innings allowed him to face a larger number of deliveries and maximise his ability to build momentum. His performance also showed that he can accelerate after an initially cautious phase rather than needing an immediate boundary every ball.

If Mumbai Indians are looking for greater flexibility in their batting order, Dhir’s latest performance gives the management another option to consider.

The challenge will be consistency. T20 cricket rewards players who can repeatedly contribute at a high level, and Dhir will need to back up this extraordinary performance with more strong displays.

A lesson in T20 power hitting

Dhir’s innings also provides a clear example of how modern T20 batting works. He did not panic after three dot balls. Instead, he waited for opportunities and then attacked aggressively once he found his timing.

His innings combined boundary frequency with sustained intent. The 16 fours and 12 sixes show that he did not rely on one type of scoring shot.

More importantly, he continued accelerating after reaching major milestones. His movement from 100 to 150 in only 16 deliveries demonstrated that he remained focused on maximising the final overs rather than simply protecting his century.

Naman Dhir’s 173: The bigger picture

The Sher-e-Punjab T20 League has provided another platform for Indian domestic players to showcase their skills, and Dhir took full advantage of the opportunity.

A score of 173 at a strike rate above 270 is the type of performance that naturally attracts attention. For Dhir, the challenge now is to ensure the innings becomes a stepping stone rather than an isolated highlight.

His performance against Mohali Kings has strengthened his credentials as an explosive T20 batter and could increase expectations around his role for Mumbai Indians.

Final verdict

Naman Dhir’s 173 off 64 balls was the defining performance of Amritsar Soormas’ victory over Mohali Kings. With 16 fours and 12 sixes, the Mumbai Indians all-rounder produced a breathtaking display of power hitting after beginning his innings with three consecutive dot balls.

He reached his century in 38 balls, raced to 150 from 54 and ultimately helped Soormas post 279/7. Mohali Kings responded with 212/9, but Jaskaranvir Paul’s 76 and Anmolpreet Singh’s 52 were not enough to prevent a 67-run defeat.

For Dhir, the innings represents more than a huge personal score. It provides a strong statement about his T20 batting ability and could fuel calls for a bigger role when Mumbai Indians begin planning for the next IPL campaign.