Navdeep Saini is the star performer in Delhi’s big semifinal win of innings and 26 runs against Bengal at Pune. Saini followed his first innings’ three wickets with a four-fer in the second outing, which bundled Bengal’s second innings at a mere 86allout.

After a career-defining match, Saini thanked Gautam Gambhir and said he owes his life to him. “I owe this life and my success to Gautam Gambhir. I was a nobody and Gautam bhaiyaa did everything for me,” he said.

He was very grateful for Gambhir to grant him a chance to make a mark in the first-class cricket. He was prepared to travel South Africa with the Indian Team as a net bowler, but former Indian opener asked him to represent his domestic team in the all important match. Ankit Rajpoot of UP went there instead.

He further added “I was happy that I would go to South Africa but I called up Gautam bhaiyya. 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.”

It was Gambhir, who noticed him in Karnal bowling Yorkers at will with the tennis ball and requested DDCA to bring him into the Delhi team rather than letting him play for Haryana.

“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,” Saini quoted.

Explaining his bowling’s USP, he stated “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.”

He belongs to a very humble. Despite having an IPL contract along with 29 FC games experience, Saini is very rooted towards the ground.

“It was difficult in the beginning but now things have changed a bit. I stay with my friends in a rented accommodation in Kotla Mubarakpur. I still go back home by Volvo bus. I haven’t bought a car,” he concluded.