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”I know the importance of the slower deliveries”: Navdeep Saini
By Shruti - Jan 8, 2020 2:57 pm
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Navdeep Saini, the young speedster who starred with the ball in India’s seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second Twenty20 International (T20I) match in Indore on Tuesday, said that he has gained the much-needed confidence with both the white and red ball in between the growing calls for his inclusion in the Test squad. Saini bowled with great pace on Tuesday and troubled the Sri Lankan batsmen. He returned with superb figures of 2/18 in four overs as India restricted Sri Lanka within 142/9 after choosing to field first. The batters then chased down the total with ease as India won with 15 balls to spare, scoring 144/3 in 17.3 overs only.

Navdeep Saini
Navdeep Saini bowled a brilliant spell in Indore

“I am gaining confidence with both white ball and red ball,” Navdeep Saini (27) said at the post match presentation ceremony after being adjudged Man of the Match.

“When I made my T20I debut, I wanted to bowl fast, but now I know the importance of the slower deliveries,” he added. “I practiced well and was confident. It’s important to be confident and it’s also important to use the variations. I was more happy to take a wicket with the yorker (Danushka Gunathilaka).”

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Saini has so far played eight T20Is and one ODI for India. He impressed everyone in his debut as well. For Sri Lanka, Kusal Perera was the highest scorer who scored 34 off 28 with 3 sixes. Apart from Saini, Shardul Thakur took a three-wicket haul that too conceding only 23 runs. Kuldeep Yadav picked up 2 wickets as well.

While chasing, India openers KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan got off to a flying start. The duo stitched a 71-run partnership before Rahul fell after scoring 45. However, Shikhar Dhawan scored 32, captain Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 17-ball 30 and Shreyas Iyer’s 26-ball 34 helped India to register a comfortable victory. Wanindu Hasaranga bagged 2 wickets while Lahiru Kumara took 1 for Sri Lanka.