Navdeep Saini, Delhi's right-arm fast bowler was yesterday brought into the Indian Test squad for the Test against Afghanistan, in place of an unfit Mohammed Shami and the youngster is over the moon for it. Navdeep was absolutely brilliant for Delhi in the 2017/18 domestic season. He picked up 34 wickets in 8 Ranji Trophy games and helped his team reached the final after many years and has now been rewarded for it. There is an interesting story about the youngster though, that not many know.
He had never played with the red ball till December 2013, when he was spotted by the veteran Gautam Gambhir. He got a chance to bowl during Delhi Ranji team’s net session at the Roshanara cricket ground and Navdeep impressed Gambhir immediately with his ability to seam the ball at pace and the wise man decided that this young tall boy needs to be groomed. Gambhir, having an eye for the talent, saw the immense potential that not many till then had seen in Saini.
Saini hasn't looked back since then, he has been an important part of Delhi's Ranji Team and has played for India A as well. He was also called up as a net bowler during India's tour of South Africa by the team management and so, his rise is praiseworthy for someone so young.
Navdeep is delighted but he hasn't forgotten the role of Gautam Gambhir in his career and will never, according to him. On the big day of his life, he recalled how his start under the watchful eyes of Gambhir was and was quoted saying to the PTI as, “Gautam bhaiya told me 'Jaise tennis ball se dalta hai, waise hi dal. Koi tension nahi. Baaki sab theek ho jayega' (Just bowl like you bowl with a tennis ball. Everything will fall in place). I did what he told me and today I am here because of him. I don’t know whenever I speak about Gautam Gambhir, I get emotional,”
“I remember every tiny little thing. I know what Gautam bhaiya had to go through to convince selectors that I was good enough to play for Delhi. Not to forget Ashish Nehra, Mithun Manhas, Sumit Narwal, who all stood by me. In fact, after first few matches, he (Gambhir) said that if I keep working hard at every practice session, I will play for India. He saw in me before I realised myself. Today when I look back about those days, I smile,”
Navdeep had a stellar domestic season overall but his second innings spell in the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Bengal, is what stood out. His four wicket spell, with which he ran through the Bengal batting line up and helped his team seal a spot in the final against Vidarbha, was absolutely magnificent.
Navdeep gave an insight into what happened in the build-up to that game. He said, “Before that performance against Bengal, I had already played for India A in South Africa. Rahul Dravid sir gave me a lot of valuable tips about variation consistency"
Navdeep also feels working under the guidance of Ashish Nehra recently in the Royal Challengers Banglore setup during the Indian Premier League, has helped him become a better bowler. He said, "Also spending time with Ashish Nehra at RCB during IPL was also of great help. My pace has increased and I have more control on my swing,”
(Inputs from PTI)
