Navdeep Saini: The Indian pacer's stock is rising rapidly
The Indian Premier League 2019 witnessed the rice of Haryana speedster Navdeep Saini. Playing in his debut season in the cash-rich league, the Royal Challengers Bangalore bowler impressed everyone in the fraternity. The 26-year-old pacer can bowl quick and his consistency earned him a spot among the standby players for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019. Here's more about Saini.
Saini performed well for RCB this season
RCB ended on a high after being woeful in IPL 2019's first phase. Skipper Virat Kohli will draw one major positive, which is the consistent performance of Saini. The player stood up and outsmarted the other big guns in the side. He bowled his heart out and earned acclaim. Saini picked up 11 scalps in 13 matches for RCB at an economy-rate of 8.27.
Saini was named as standby for the 2019 World Cup
Saini wouldn't have believed if someone had told him weeks ago, that he would be on standby for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019. But that is where efforts take you. Saini was named by the BCCI as the standby bowler last month after the 15-member squad was announced. He will be heading to England with the side as a net bowler.
What does he bring to his game?
Saini has lethal pace in his arsenal and he can consistently clock stunning speeds. His height allows him to extract bounce and he utilized that for RCB in IPL 2019. Saini can also bowl yorkers and he isn't shy of trying those at the death.
Saini is creating a name for himself
The Haryana lad has gained praise from every corner including RCB bowling coach Ashish Nehra, who believes it is his confidence that has taken him to this position. Saini has done the right things since a while now. Last year he was handed a call-up to the Test squad against Afghanistan as a replacement for Mohammed Shami. He also toured England with India A.
A look at Saini's career achievements
The pacer represents Delhi in the domestic circuit. He was their standout performer in the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy season with 34 wickets to his name. Saini also took 16 wickets in the 2018-19 Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi. In 43 first class matches, he has taken 120 wickets, besides 57 in List A and 24 in T20s. He made his FC debut in 2013-14.
Saini has a promising future ahead of him
Saini has laid a strong foundation and will hope to continue working on it. Bowling in the nets, during the World Cup, will give him plenty of confidence and once in a lifetime opportunity. Saini will be hoping to utilize his strengths. He could be in line to represent India soon in T20Is and perhaps also in Test cricket.
