Naman Dhir collects Impact Player of the Series medal after India beat New Zealand 3-2

Naman Dhir received the Impact Player of the Series medal at Seddon Park, Hamilton, after India concluded their five-match T20I series against New Zealand with a 3-2 result. The presentation took place in the dressing room following the fifth and final T20I on November 1, 2026.

The BCCI shared a video of the ceremony on X, captioning it: “The one who stepped onto the plate and took responsibility for the team. A stellar maiden overseas tour, capped off with the Impact Player of the Series medal for Naman Dhir.”

The medal was handed to the in-form Mumbai Indians all-rounder by India’s strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux.

Dhir’s series batting in detail

Dhir, who is 26 years old, accumulated 138 runs across the five matches at a strike rate of 200, remaining unbeaten on two occasions. His contributions came in a series where India won the opening three games before New Zealand claimed the fourth and fifth as consolation victories.

“First of all, thank you Adrian for giving me this medal. I really enjoyed it, especially it is quite satisfying that we won the overseas series. It’s my first overseas tour and I’m getting this medal,” Dhir said after receiving the award.

The tour to New Zealand was Dhir’s first overseas assignment with the senior India side. Before this series, he had appeared in five T20Is and 3 ODIs for India, having made his international debut against West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27.

In the opening T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on October 22, 2026, Dhir struck 42 runs off just 15 balls, unbeaten, as India chased down 226 to win by 4 wickets. He followed it with 31 off 17 balls in the second T20I as India moved to a 2-0 lead in the series. In the fourth T20I, he slammed 28 off 13 balls in a losing cause.

The fifth T20I at Seddon Park saw India post 191, but New Zealand chased the target in 18 overs, winning by 7 wickets. Dhir played a solid knock of 33 runs off 23 balls in that encounter.

Dhir bowled two overs across the series without taking a wicket, while also contributing in the field. His batting remained the primary reason for the series award, with his 42-run knock in the first match and consistent contributions throughout standing out across the five games.