Published: Dec 19, 2017, 08:35 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 19, 2017, 08:35 PM (IST)
Delhi decimated Bengal in the first semi-final of ongoing Ranji Trophy 2017-18 to book a place in the final. Resuming Day Three at 271 for 3, Delhi were still trailing by 15 runs. They managed to stretch the innings to 398 amidst Mohammed Shami’s spirited spell. Nonetheless, what followed was a meek surrender from Bengal in front of young Delhi pacers — Navdeep Saini and Kulwant Khejroliya. As a result, Delhi stormed into the final, and will play the winner of Karnataka and Vidarbha from second semi-final. Delhi’s hero Saini, who took 7 for 79 in the match, credited Gautam Gambhir for his success.
‘I was a nobody and Gautam bhaiya did everything for me’
“I owe this life and my success to Gautam Gambhir. I was a nobody and Gautam bhaiya did everything for me,” stated Saini.
India selectors picked few young pacers as ‘net bowlers’ for the upcoming South Africa tour. Saini was set to board the flight for South Africa, but there was a turnaround.
“I was happy that I would go to South Africa but I called up Gautam bhaiya (Gambhir). He said Delhi needs you now for the semi- final and if you do well, you will be automatically in that Indian dressing room. I didn’t think twice,” shared Saini. As a result, Uttar Pradesh’s Ankit Rajpoot will travel with the national side to the Africa nation.
Turning point
A net session, in 2013-14, wherein Saini bowled yorkers at will impressed Gambhir. The Indian opener made up his mind over Saini’s inclusion in Delhi squad.
“Gautam bhaiya, Ashish bhaiya (Nehra), Mithun Manhas rallied around me. They said what’s happening in the periphery shouldn’t be my concern. We will take care of that, you only bowl,” added Saini.
What’s his USP?
“I can’t build on muscles as I will lose out on the pace I generate due to my quick hand speed. This is my USP from start. Since I could bowl fuller deliveries with tennis ball, it helps with leather ball as it generates extra pace,” concluded Saini.
Saini got the prized scalp of Sudip Chatterjee and Manoj Tiwary to push Bengal on the back foot on Tuesday. He got all his wickets, in the second innings, by rattling the stumps.
Saini features in the top ten leading wicket-taker’s list in the current Ranji season. He will be charged up for the summit clash, to be played at Holkar Stadium, Indore (from December 29).
