Navdeep Saini has recently made the debut in the One Day International against West Indies. He earned up the call in the ODI match because Deepak Chahar was ruled out ahead of the decider match of the series due to an injury. The young pacer opines that his goal for the next year is to gain his place in the T20 World Cup squad which is scheduled in Australia.
Navdeep Saini’s T20 Career
The 27-year old made the T20I debut in the Indian team when the Men in Blue toured West Indies. In three T20 matches, he picked five wickets of the Windies in their home ground. He was then included in the home T20I series against South Africa. He picked one wicket of the visitors and was also hit hard by the Proteas batsmen. Unfortunately, for the next home T20I series against Bangladesh, he got injured and went to National Cricket Academy (NCA) for the recovery.
Navdeep Saini also missed the T20I series against the visiting side West Indies. But luckily, he earned the call in the third ODI match which was also the decider match of the series against the Caribbean. He picked two crucial wickets of Roston Chase and Shimron Hetmyer. India went on to register the victory in the ODI series by 2-1.
Pacer doesn’t want to take the pressure
Now, Saini has got his place back in the T20I squad against Sri Lanka and also in the ODI squad against Australia as both the teams will be touring India in January 2020. The pacer said he wants to develop the qualities that can benefit the team. He has also only one goal to gain his place in the T20 World Cup 2020 squad.
“I try to be ready for every situation, whether bowling with the new ball or at the death. The goal will be to be a part of India’s T20 World Cup squad. But there is still some time to go. If I start thinking too much about the future, it will only put unnecessary pressure. It’ll be better if I prepare for one series at a time,” said the speedster.
“I want to be consistent with the new and old ball. If I can execute my plans of hitting the lengths at the start and getting the yorkers right in the end, it really won’t matter who my opponents are. If I’m mentally strong enough, then the match situation or opposition won’t be much of a problem,” Navdeep Saini said as quoted by Hindustan Times.