Hoping to learn from India pacers and become a better bowler, says Navdeep Saini
Navdeep Saini has stated that he is hoping to learn a few tricks from the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar as he will travel along with them during the World Cup. The Delhi pacer has been named as one of the four net bowlers who will be on the flight to England.
Navdeep Saini had made his First Class debut in December 2013 for Delhi and has played 43 matches since then. He has featured in 37 List A games since 2015 and made his T20 debut only in 2016. He was picked up for Rs.3 crores by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2019 Indian Premier League auctions and he went on to play 13 matches for the side. Meanwhile, he has been named as one of the four net bowlers for India in the upcoming World Cup in the United Kingdom and it serves as a huge opportunity for him to learn from the ace India pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami, as pointed out by Saini himself.
“We have spoken briefly in the IPL but not much as we were busy with our respective franchises. Bhuvi bhai’s swing, Bumrah bhai’s yorker and the way Shami bhai seams after pitching on the length is just amazing. I hope I will learn these things from them and become a better bowler,” Saini told in an interview, reported PTI.
“My focus currently is on improving my death bowling and backing my strength — bowling hard length ball that comes on top of the stumps. It’s a deadly delivery. We think batsmen will hit you, but if you make slight variation and bowl in the same area, it becomes a very difficult to clear."
Saini went on to play 13 out of 14 matches for the Virat Kohli-led side and also picked up 11 wickets with 141 dot balls and bowled at an economy of 8.27. He even clocked 152.85 kmph, the fastest delivery by an Indian pacer and second overall in this edition of the cash-rich league. He revealed that the India skipper had asked him to maintain his intensity.
“It was a great learning experience playing under the Indian captain. He always backed me. He told me never to take any pressure and always keep the intensity high. Give your 110 percent effort. It has become a habit for me now,” said the 26-year-old.
“Performing alongside the stars of international cricket always boosts your confidence. It’s a great opportunity for me. My bowling coach (Ashish Nehra bhaiya) also helped me a lot. He told me on how to back yourself, and become a better bowler."
Gautam Gambhir had seen Saini bowling for 15 minutes in the nets and was convinced that the pacer is a rare talent. The former India batsman even had heated arguments with the DDCA officials but ensured that the Saini finds a spot in the Delhi side. Saini credited Gambhir for his journey from tennis ball tournaments to Ranji Trophy.
“I can never forget Gautam bhaiya’s contribution in my career. It’s all because of him I’m here. Every time I do something, Gautam bhaiya’s name will always come. After my family, it’s always Gautam bhaiya. I played nowhere, even in Haryana nobody knew me. It was Gautam bhaiya who brought me in and made me play for Delhi. Everybody knows about it now. The way he backed me and trusted in my abilities, I would never forget in my life,” the pacer concluded.
