Navdeep Saini is the latest addition to the list of Indian cricketers playing county cricket as the speedster signed a deal with Kent. The 29-year-old is all set to play in County Championship and Royal London Cup games, subject to visa and regulatory approval.
The Delhi based seamer last played for India on their tour to Sri Lanka over 12 months ago. He also has been a constant feature for Delhi in domestic cricket and was a part of Rajasthan Royals’ team in IPL 2022. Saini is hailed as amongst the fastest Indian bowlers with the speedster clocking 95 mph on a regular basis.
He has taken nearly 150 wickets in first-class cricket at an average of 28.80 alongside an economy of 2.92. The right-arm pacer is set to don the number 96 on his back and become the second Indian Test cricketer behind Rahul Dravid to play for Kent County.
🇮🇳✍ We’re delighted to announce the signing of India international fast bowler @navdeepsaini96 for up to three @CountyChamp & five @RoyalLondonCup matches, subject to visa & regulatory approval
— Kent Cricket (@KentCricket) July 15, 2022
Saini will go on to be the fifth Indian player who will play a county contract in 2022. He is all set to follow the footsteps of Cheteshwar Pujara (Sussex), Washington Sundar (Lancashire), Krunal Pandya (Warwickshire) and Umesh Yadav (Middlesex) who will play for their respective county teams this time around.
The 29-year-old is in line to make his county debut against Warwickshire next week. He is expected to join Matt Henry in the playing XI with the New Zealand seamer re-signing for Kent after a solid season in 2018. Saini was quoted by the Kent Cricket Club saying, “It’s a great opportunity to play county cricket and I’m looking forward to giving my all for Kent.”
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Paul Downton, Kent’s director of cricket also spoke on Navdeep Saini’s signing. He said, “In a year when it’s been difficult to take wickets, we’re excited to have the opportunity to add a fast bowler of Navdeep’s quality to our squad.”
The county team will hope that Saini’s inclusion will add freshness and fire power to their bowling. They have struggled to get going in the Championship this season due to poor form as well as some fitness concerns. Kent finds themselves slotted eighth on the 10-team Division One table having won only one game so far. They have registered 3 losses and 5 losses pocketing 90 points this season.
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Smit is a sports writer at Gutshot Magazine. After completing his Bachelor’s in Mass Media, and a Master’s degree in Sports Management, this sports fanatic uses articles as a tool to express his opinions. Bring up cricket or football and you will find this usually quiet guy speak for hours! He also co-heads the official supporters club of Chelsea FC in Mumbai, wherein he hosts screenings, football meets and other such events.
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