Saini bowled five overs despite injury in Australia's second innings during the fourth Test.
Playing only his second Test against Australia in Brisbane, India pacer Navdeep Saini sustained a groin injury on the opening day of the match.
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But fearing that he may not get such a big a stage again, Saini ended up bowling five overs despite injury in the second innings.
“Ajinkya bhaiya asked me If I would be able to bowl with the injury, I just had to say yes," he told PTI in an exclusive chat.
Saini, who made his debut in the third Test of the same series at SCG, picked up a groin strain after bowling bowl only 7.5 overs in Australia’s first innings at the Gabba
"I was fine and suddenly I got injured. I was wondering 'why it is happening in such a crucial game and have got the opportunity to play after a long time'.
"I just wished if could keep going with that injury and support my team. I knew I might not get a stage like that again. Captain asked me if I could do it. I was in pain but said I would do with whatever I could.
"I am recovering now and should be fit soon," the lanky fast bowler added.
While Saini couldn’t claim a wicket in the series-decider, he took four wickets in the drawn third Test in Sydney. Will Pucovski, Mitchell Starc, Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Wade were his victims.
Since Pucovski’s scalp was his first in Test cricket, it remains the most special one for him.
"All wickets were special but yes you can't forget the first one. Because until that happens, you keep thinking about that first wicket," he said.
With senior bowlers like Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav getting ruled out of the series due to injuries, the pressure to perform instantly had increased on the likes of Saini but India’s young pace attack did live up to the expectations.
"It is easy to get excited in Australia with the bounce on offer. It is natural to think about bowling short balls then but Test cricket is not only about that, it is about patience and bowling in the same channel consistently.
"To be able to do well in Australia, you have to be mentally very strong, they don't give up till the every end. The management was very supportive including the captain and Rohit bhaiya. They all told me to bowl the way I would bowl in Ranji Trophy," Saini remarked.
Mohammed Siraj, who also made his Test debut during the Australia tour, was seen counselling Saini consistently in the latter's maiden Test.
Speaking about Siraj, Saini said: "He is one of my best mates. We have played a lot together (for India A). We talk a lot about bowling. He was always there for me in the first game. Pace is important but he was telling me to also focus on line and length to be effective.”
Siraj, who stayed back in Australia after losing his father, finished the series with 13 wickets to his name and Saini was in all praise for him.
"Siraj is a very different bowler. He showed a lot of courage by staying back after his father's death. What he achieved was very crucial for the team and showed his character," Saini said.
(With PTI inputs)