When Navdeep Saini was at the non-striker’s end watching Rishabh Pant hit those winning runs in India’s historic Gabba victory over Australia in January 2021, little did he know he would have to wait so long for his next Test appearance.
Following a left-shoulder injury in 2021, an abdominal muscle strain again sidelined him when he made his comeback to the Indian squad for the two-Test series against Bangladesh last December.
The 30-year-old quick though ensured that injuries and other setbacks didn’t bog him down. Banking on his self-belief, Saini relied on hard work — which he calls his “USP” — which eventually earned him a call-up in the squad for India’s upcoming Tests against the West Indies next month.
“Of course, this comeback is a different kind of feeling from when I earned my first Test cap (in Sydney versus Australia in January 2021). That occasion and this cannot be compared obviously, but over the last two years, I just kept telling myself that I need to put in a continuous effort as it was the only way I could return.
“I tried to do my best whenever opportunities came my way during this period. So I would only say that my hard work and patience finally paid off,” Saini, currently in England for his county stint with Worcestershire, told The Telegraph late on Friday evening.
Saini’s performances in domestic cricket for Delhi last season weren’t too bad. He missed the Ranji Trophy, but prior to that, took 10 wickets from eight games and seven scalps from five matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, respectively.
In this year’s IPL, he could feature in only a couple of matches for Rajasthan Royals, taking three wickets. But it was in the Irani Cup back in March, where his sharpness (for Rest of India) on a flat deck in Gwalior against Ranji champions Madhya Pradesh is learnt to have impressed the national selectors.
In the first innings in particular, Saini worked up a fair amount of pace to strike early and finished with 3/56 which was handy enough to give Rest of India a lead.
With senior quicks Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav not included for the West Indies Tests, Saini stands a chance to add to his Test appearances.
“Well, now that I’m in the squad, there’s certainly a possibility of my being there in the XI. At least in one of the Tests,” he said.
“The period I’ve been out of the team has been a learning experience for me. At this level, you just cannot take anything for granted and you need to put in the effort and keep working as hard as you can irrespective of the odds.”
“Nothing is certain or constant at this level. So I am aware that I need to be on my toes all the time,” Saini emphasised.
Saini hopes his County stint would help him in the Caribbean. “I do hope to play a game or two there before leaving for the West Indies.
“The pitches in England have nice bounce and carry as well. Besides, I’ll get to bowl with the Dukes ball (which is also in use in the Caribbean).
“The overall experience I’ll be gaining here should benefit me,” Saini said.
