Navdeep Saini was born on November 23, 1992, in Karnal, Haryana, India. He is a right-arm fast bowler known for his speed and ability to deliver pinpoint yorkers. Saini has played for the Indian national cricket team across all formats and has been a part of various teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), including the Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore. His pace and aggression on the field have made him a valuable asset to any team he has played for.
Biography
Navdeep Saini’s cricket journey is a tale of perseverance and hard work. Coming from a small town in Haryana, his path to professional cricket was not straightforward. Initially, Saini played with a tennis ball in local tournaments, where his raw pace was first noticed. His big break came when he was spotted by former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir, who played a pivotal role in Saini’s inclusion in the Delhi domestic team.
Making his first-class debut for Delhi in the 2013-2014 season, Saini quickly made an impression with his speed and ability to swing the ball. His performances in domestic cricket, including the Ranji Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, showcased his potential as a fast bowler. Saini’s breakthrough came during the 2017-18 Ranji season, where he played a crucial role in Delhi reaching the finals.
Saini made his international debut for India in August 2019 in a T20I against the West Indies. He marked his arrival on the international scene by taking three wickets in his debut match. Since then, Saini has represented India in ODIs and Test cricket, showing glimpses of his ability to become a leading fast bowler for the country.
Sporting Achievements
- International Cricket: Saini’s debut series against the West Indies in 2019 was a standout, as he showcased his pace and skill, earning the Man of the Match award in his first T20I. He has since been a part of the Indian team in all formats, contributing with key wickets in crucial situations.
- Indian Premier League (IPL): In the IPL, Saini has been known for his ability to bowl fast and keep the runs down in the death overs. His performances for Royal Challengers Bangalore, in particular, have highlighted his potential in T20 cricket.
- Domestic Cricket: In domestic cricket, Saini has been a consistent performer for Delhi, with several five-wicket hauls in the Ranji Trophy. His role in helping Delhi reach the Ranji Trophy final in the 2017-18 season remains one of his career highlights.
Navdeep Saini’s journey from playing cricket with a tennis ball in Karnal to representing India on the international stage is an inspiring story of talent, dedication, and hard work. With his best years potentially ahead of him, Saini’s speed and skill set him apart as a fast bowler to watch in the coming years.
Player Stats
Bowling
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
| Tests | 2 | 4 | 251 | 172 | 4 | 2/54 | 4/119 | 43.00 | 4.11 | 62.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 8 | 8 | 420 | 481 | 6 | 2/58 | 2/58 | 80.16 | 6.87 | 70.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 11 | 9 | 197 | 235 | 13 | 3/17 | 3/17 | 18.07 | 7.15 | 15.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 66 | 113 | 10596 | 5388 | 184 | 6/32 | 7/79 | 29.28 | 03.05 | 57.5 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| List A | 68 | 68 | 3457 | 3077 | 101 | 5/46 | 5/46 | 30.46 | 5.34 | 34.2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| T20s | 85 | 83 | 1765 | 2249 | 73 | 4/17 | 4/17 | 30.80 | 7.64 | 24.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
| Tests | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 4.00 | 27 | 29.62 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| ODIs | 8 | 5 | 3 | 107 | 45 | 53.50 | 137 | 78.10 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| T20Is | 11 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 11* | – | 11 | 109.09 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| FC | 66 | 70 | 30 | 427 | 50* | 10.67 | 968 | 44.11 | 0 | 1 | 57 | 5 | 19 | 0 |
| List A | 68 | 33 | 21 | 249 | 45 | 20.75 | 439 | 56.71 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 6 | 20 | 0 |
| T20s | 85 | 18 | 12 | 63 | 12* | 10.50 | 77 | 81.81 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 23 | 0 |