I can only get into the Test team by working harder and harder, admits Navdeep Saini

Every now and then, there are certain success stories that are heartwarming and Navdeep Saini's is certainly one of them. Having played only tennis ball cricket for the vast majority of his young days, Saini only made his first-class debut in 2013. But such has been the rise of the Haryana-born bowler that in no time, he has found himself in the Indian ranks and is probably very close to becoming a regular in the limited-overs teams.

However, the pacer admits that he has a long way to go before he can start thinking about Test cricket, referring to the depth in India's pacer battery. The 26-year-old admits that he will have to keep working harder to knock on the door and get into the Test team.

“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,” Saini told PTI, reported Sportstar.

The pacer also revealed that he has received invaluable advice from the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the nets. He also said that he was working mainly on improving his accuracy, as the margin for error in international cricket is all but nothing. 

“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,” Saini said.

Saini had a dream start to his international career, claiming three wickets on his debut, including a wicket-maiden on the last over. The pacer, who has also previously played under Virat Kohli for Royal Challengers Bangalore revealed that he enjoyed playing under the Indian skipper and lauded Kohli for his ability to motivate youngsters.

"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,” Saini concluded.