“Who is this bloke ?” were the chants when a young 26-year-old boy from Karnal, Navdeep Saini, son of a driver, was named as a replacement for Mohammed Shami for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in 2018. Though he didn’t get an opportunity there but his outstanding domestic performances didn’t get unnoticed as he was one of the standbys for India in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

However, 3rd August 2019 was the day when the hard work of many years finally paid off for Navdeep Saini as he made his debut for India and it didn’t take him long to announce his arrival on the big stage. Bowling against the likes of dangerous Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer and Kieron Pollard can be a nightmare for any bowler. But not Navdeep. The lanky pacer from Karnal removed both the left-handers on two consecutive balls and bowled a maiden wicket in the last over of the innings, that included wicket of Kieron Pollard as well.

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Not only the success, but Navdeep Saini had his setbacks too. After being part of India’s setup in all three formats, he had to face the harsh challenge of injuries as well, which nothing but delayed his Test debut. But who knew that destiny had something beautiful written for him as he made his debut in the longest format of the game during the historic Test series against Australia in 2020/21. He played a key role in India’s triumph and had the best seat in the house when Rishabh Pant struck the famous boundary to breach Australia’s fortress, Gabba.

Also Read: IND vs WI: Fitness Along With On And Off-Field Antics Reason Behind Sarfaraz Khan Not Getting Selected For West Indies Tour

The roller coaster ride for Navdeep Saini continued even after that as he again battled quite a few injuries that saw him missing Ranji Trophy as well. But in a drastic turn of events, when no one expected he had belief and after two and a half years he made a return to the team as his name popped up in the Indian squad for the West Indies series.

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In an exclusive interview with CricketAddictor, Navdeep Saini talked about his first reaction after receiving the Indian call-up again, his plans, camaraderie with Rishabh Pant and more

IND vs WI: Here are excerpts from the interview of Navdeep Saini 

How did you react to India-recall, especially after missing so much of cricket due to injury? Was it expected as you just arrived in London for the county stint?

“When I got to know that my name came up I was very happy because I have been working hard. I came to England for the county and when I arrived I saw my name in the Indian squad. I was expecting I would get a call-up but my main focus always has been on the preparations. My focus was on the county cricket because that’s what I am here to play. Even ahead of the ICC WTC Final, I had in my mind that if am not selected for the main team, I can be there as a net bowler. Somewhere down the line, you need to keep your hopes alive because opportunities can come at any time. So, for me preparations are important.”

You played your last Test match in Brisbane, nearly two and a half years ago and after that, you suffered quite a few injuries and missed a lot of cricket. How did you overcome this challenge, especially when you were seeing your teammates play?

“I didn’t look at others but I took the injuries positively because it is something which isn’t in your hands. I was training, eating and sleeping well but despite that, I got injured, so it isn’t in my control because fast bowlers are more prone to injuries. I accepted it and shifted my focus to the recovery process.”

During the historic Test series against Australia in 2020/21, you came in the team during the Sydney Test, picked four wickets and then in the Gabba game, you were battling a groin injury but bowled your heart out. Did any message come out from the management that you shouldn’t continue or were you keen to put your body on the line for the team?

“The Sydney Test went pretty well for me but during my 8-over spell in Gabba, I got injured. I had two choices – to go and sit in the dressing room or to contribute to the team despite being in pain because this opportunity will not come again and I shouldn’t have any regrets later on that I could’ve contributed 20-30% more but I didn’t – I choose the second option and contributed in whatever way I could.”

Your relationship with Rishabh Pant has always been good, and rather funny. But during the Gabba Test, the situation was serious and when you went to bat, India still was a few runs behind. What conversation you had with Rishabh in the middle?

“Rishabh Pant is like my brother. Although everyone was aware that Navdeep Saini has injury, but such was the moment that no one including me realised that I was in pain. When I went to bat, Rishabh told me to run on his calls and he wanted the strike, which happened and we won the game.”

Also Read: IND vs WI: “This Time Around I Am In A Different Space” – Jermaine Blackwood Issues Warning To India Ahead Of Test Series

Rishabh Pant has played quite a few historic knocks for India, scoring Test centuries in India, England, Australia and South Africa. But it was a great setback for the team when he met with a tragic accident. Having known him for a while, do you think that this will hamper his comeback?

“Rishabh is mentally very strong. I met him recently and his words were strong. Having known him from starting, I’m sure when he will make a comeback it won’t seem that he’s returning from injury because he knows his job very well. He will be fully prepared when he will play again.”

After the injury when you didn’t play professional cricket, did you work on honing your skills in white-ball cricket or longest format of the game was your priority?

“After recovering from the injury, I played T20s and one days in the domestic circuit. Then I went to Bangladesh with India A team and played two Tests, which went well for me, and then I was part of the IPL. During the league, I knew that WTC Final is around the corner so I prepared for that as well by bowling more in nets. After IPL, I started preparing for county cricket at my home. Overall I worked on both red-ball as well as white-ball because you need to be prepared for everything.”

You played just two matches in IPL this year?  Was it because of team combination or did your injury stopped you?

“I didn’t have any injury during the IPL, I was fully fit. It was because of team combination I played just 2 games.”

During the first half of the IPL, Rajasthan Royals were favourites to win the tournament but after that momentum shifted drastically from them. With greats like Kumar Sangakkara and Lasith Malinga in the dressing room, how did they lift the team in such times?

“Things can go up and down in the games. The conversations at that time were mostly about improving the things that weren’t working out. For example, if we lacked in fielding, we talked about what we could do to rectify it in the next game. Winning and losing is a part and parcel of the game.”

Your pace is something that has always been talked about. You have the ability to consistently click 150kph and India is traditionally not well-known for genuine fast bowlers. What are your goals? Have you worked on increasing your pace? Can we see you hitting 155 kph anytime soon?

“I haven’t planned anything about it. Whatever is working out for me right now, I’m focusing on it. I know pace is there for me but having good lines and lengths is important as then only pace will matter and will be effective. I haven’t planned about it (clicking 155 kph) and am working to improve the things, which currently I have.”

Ahead of the West Indies Tests, you’ll have the added advantage of getting the match practice and bowling with Dukes ball in county cricket. What will be the areas that you would be looking to execute in that match, which will help you in the Test series against West Indies?

“When you are playing a Test match, you need to be patient. If you maintain patience, things will work for you because when the wicket offers nothing, you need to bowl at the same line and length. Patience, line and length are key elements and Test matches and I’ll be looking to work on them in county cricket.”

Navdeep Saini – the new ball bowler or Navdeep Saini – the old ball bowler?

“The answer is simple for me, both. There isn’t any special preference I’m comfortable with both. It’s about opportunity and keeping yourself ready for every situation.”

Coming to white-ball cricket, you last played for India in 2021? With the team giving chances to young players in T20Is, are you eyeing a comeback, keeping in mind the T20 World Cup 2024?

“Yes, definitely. My only motive is to play and prepare for whatever is coming next. If you see, I played two games in IPL and was benched for 12 games. During that time too, I was thinking about doing well for the team when I’ll get an opportunity. If I’m playing T20 format, my thinking is all about doing the best for myself and the team. T20 World Cup is next year so whatever matches I’ll play till then, I’ll be thinking about preparing for the tournament.”

Also Read: IND vs WI: “If We Had A Strong Selector, He Would Ask Why Did You Drop Ashwin? – Sunil Gavaskar Slams Rohit Sharma For Lack Of Accountability

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The post IND vs WI: EXCLUSIVE – “My Only Motive Is To Play And Prepare For Whatever Is Coming Next,” Navdeep Saini Talks About His ‘Expected’ India Call-Up appeared first on CricketAddictor.