Rajneesh Gurbani and Navdeep Saini might secure a good deal in IPL auction, reckons Lakshmipathy Balaji

Gurbani and Saini have done exceptionally well in this domestic season.

Rajneesh Gurbani became the second bowler to claim a hat-trick in Ranji final | IANS

Considering the way Indian domestic pacers – Navdeep Saini and Rajneesh Gurbani have displayed their skills in this season of Ranji Trophy, former India cricketer Lakshmipathy Balaji believes that both the speedsters will be in the radars of IPL franchises in the forthcoming auction, scheduled to be held in Bengaluru on January 27 and 28, 2018. 

Gurbani, who scalped a 12-wicket haul in Vidarbha’s nerve-wrecking 5-run victory over Karnataka in the second Ranji semi-final, rocked Delhi with a hat-trick on Saturday in the all-important Ranji final.

Gurbani finished the first innings with the figures of 6 for 59. On the other hand, Saini has bowled consistently well throughout the season, scalping 29 wickets in Ranji Trophy 2017-18 till Delhi’s semi-final match against Bengal.

"Over the years, IPL has been an ideal platform for young Indian pacers to flourish. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Jaydev Unadkat, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Siraj have all benefitted from the IPL. I believe upcoming pacers like Saini and Gurbani would definitely be on the radar of IPL franchises," Balaji was quoted by TOI as saying.

"Pandya's ability to generate bounce was evident after his show in the IPL. Bhuvi's transformation as a lethal death bowler and a skilful new-ball pacer was because of the IPL. Unadkat made a comeback into the Indian team after his impressive show in the T20 league and Siraj has been provided with a lot of opportunities. IPL gives a bowler the platform to bowl at pretty much in an international environment," Balaji, who was the bowling coach of Kolkata Knight Riders in the last edition of IPL, further said.

Ex Tamil Nadu pacer B Kalyanasundaram, who was the first bowler to register a hat-trick in India’s most prestigious domestic tournament, also endorsed Balaji’s viewpoint and said that there will be a pressure of expectations on Gurbani and Saini now.

"There will be expectations on Gurbani now. He has an exceptional ability to bring the ball back into batsmen. He has to show that he is consistent. I strongly believe he has the talent and right attitude to play at that level. He could well be in the radar of IPL teams. Both Saini and Gurbani have it in them to play for India," said Kalyanasundaram.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 31 Dec, 2017

    Share Via