Having observed Navdeep Saini operate from very close quarters during his stint as a white-ball consultant of the Delhi senior team previously, former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener is very happy to see the talented pacer reach where he is today among Team India's most promising young fast bowlers.  

"I am so glad to see Navdeep Saini being recognized. You don't see many in Indian cricket who can bowl at 150 kmph," Klusener, who has arrived in India this time as part of Proteas' support staff for the ongoing T20I series, told TOI. 

"He is an absolutely human being and that added a lot of value to our Delhi team last year," he added. "I think he has a wonderful action which is very clean and smooth. He is superbly fit as well. But while chatting with him, I realized he is hungry to bowl at 150 clicks and above."

Read Also: Will have to work harder to get into the Test side: Navdeep Saini 

From being identified by former India opener Gautam Gambhir in 2013 as an outsider from Haryana, who he fought for to be included in the Delhi team, Saini, once a slim, thin boy, vulnerable of breaking down easily, has come a long way off with regards to his fitness and pace. 

The 26-year-old himself talked about the importance of focussing more on his body by eating and living better to TOI last year and said: "I knew it was not just about playing for Delhi. I realized I had to get stronger and fitter so that I don't break down in the middle of the season. I needed to take more load. That's how I could repay Gautam bhaiya's belief in me."

Klusener noticed Saini absolutely loves letting the ball go at a great pace. "While he loves bowling at 150 clicks, he knows that ability doesn't last forever but while you can bowl 150 kmph now, then just enjoy," he said. 

"Abhi mazaa nahin aayega toh kab aayega. (If I can't have fun now then when would I?)," Saini also quipped to sum it up. 

(Inputs from TOI)