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Navdeep Saini took two wickets in a late burst for Delhi against Himachal Pradesh. (Express Photo by Praveen Khana)
Players have to perform well in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to get a call-up to the Indian team, fast bowler Navdeep Saini has said. Widely rated as a future regular in India’s pace department in the pre-pandemic years, Saini’s last international appearance a T20I against Sri Lanka in July 2021. The 32-year-old was among the unheralded stars who incredibly powered India to victory at the Gabba against Australia to help the side seal a dramatic second consecutive Test series win in the country.
“Whether one likes it or not, to play for India, you have to do well in IPL. It is a reality. A year before, I had a shoulder injury and my pace dropped — it cost me an IPL contract,” Saini is quoted as saying by PTI after he returned figures of 2/20 in nine overs for Delhi against Himachal Pradesh.
However, Saini says he has no intention of letting go of red-ball cricket. “Yes, I can but I love this challenge of bowling in days’ games. Last match, I didn’t get wickets (in Hyderabad) as the wicket was slow. On this track, post Tea, it became lively,” he said. He also said that he still dreams of making a comeback to the Indian team. “Why not? If I have a couple of fifers, I will again be part of the discussions,” said Saini.
“I had nothing to lose when I had first come here and after so many years, I still have nothing to lose. If I don’t dream of returning to the Indian team then I have no right to hold on to a place in the Delhi team.” Saini played two Tests for India, both of which came in the 2020/21 series in Australia. He took four wickets in the first of those games and could hardly bowl in the second at the Gabba due to a groin injury. Saini also took six wickets in eight ODIs and 13 wickets in 11 T20Is.
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