The 26-year-old fast bowler Navdeep Saini feels that he has to work harder to open his chance for the Test cricket.
Navdeep Saini is the new sensation in the Indian national cricket team. Due to his consistent bowling performances in domestic cricket, the selectors have now put the serious eye on him.
In June 2018, Saini earned his maiden international call-up during the one-off home Test against Afghanistan. After the pace-bowler Mohammed Shami failed to pass the fitness test, Saini replaced him in the 15-member squad. However, he wasn’t selected in the playing XI during that historic Test match.
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Later, Saini was the standby bowler for India during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales.
After that World Cup, the selectors named Saini for the limited-overs series in the USA and West Indies tour. Finally, Saini made his international debut through the T20I match against Windies in that tour.
The right-arm pacer made a dream debut in his international career, as he won the Player of the Match award in his debutant T20I. In that game, his bowling figures were 4-1-17-3. He finished as the leading wicket-taker in that T20I series after managing a total of five wickets in three games.
Despite those incredible performances, Saini didn’t make his ODI debut in that tour. Initially, he wasn’t selected in the Test squad during the Caribbean tour. But, after that ODI series, the team management called him to stay with the Test team as a net bowler.
Our bowling unit in the Test format is very strong – Navdeep Saini
During the Caribbean tour, Saini realised the strength of the present Indian pace-bowling attack. He feels that he has to work harder to earn an opportunity in Test cricket.
At the launch of All India Public Sector T20 cricket tournament, Saini said, “Our bowling unit in the Test format is very strong. When I was with the team (in West Indies) I realised that I’ll have to work harder to get into the side. Only by doing that a I might get a chance.”
Navdeep Saini also added that the experienced Indian pacers have helped him in the nets. The pacer has learned many important things in the practice.
He said, “When I speak to bowlers like Shami, Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar in the nets I get a lot of help from them. At the international level error of margin is very less so I learn how to work around it in practice.”
Playing under Virat bhai’s captaincy helps me a lot
Navdeep Saini is playing under Virat Kohli‘s captaincy since the IPL 2018 as he also plays for Kolhi-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He reveals how the national team’s captain grooms him.
Saini said, “Playing under Virat bhai’s captaincy helps me a lot. He always talks about commitment. He says if you have to achieve anything you should be committed to it completely.”
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On Thursday (12th September), the BCCI has announced the 15-member Indian squad for the upcoming home Test series against South Africa. Saini hasn’t been selected in this Test squad but he has maintained his place in the T20I squad which India-South Africa will play before the Test series.