India speedster Navdeep Saini said his dismissal at a crucial moment cost India to a defeat in the second One-day International on Saturday. Saini stitched a 76-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja to keep the hope alive of India’s win while chasing a 274-run target. Saini had hit Kyle Jamieson for a six but was bowled in the next delivery.
“I will regret when I go back and see the video. If I hadn’t got out, maybe the result could have been different. Will regret that I took it so close and maybe could have gotten closer,” Saini said at the post match press conference.
“We felt the wicket was flat and if we could stay till the end, the match could go close. So we were trying to contribute as much as possible and take the match to the end. Jadeja had told me that if you get a boundary ball hit it. Otherwise take singles or doubles, try to keep patience and we can take the game to the end,” he added.
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Navdeep Saini batted for long in the nets pre-match and it helped him as he scored 45 off 49 balls, including five fours and two sixes. The pacer said it is important for the tail-enders to contribute as well.
“It is a good thing that the lower order is performing like this. If everyone performs, it is called a team effort. If batsmen cannot score, bowlers should. If bowlers are not taking wickets, fielders should help. It is a team, after all,” he shared.
“I was thinking that I got to bat after a long time. As soon as I hit the boundary, I was in shock. Wow, the ball is coming really well off my bat, I thought. Among the support staff, Raghu (throw down specialist) helps me with batting and is always encouraging me to do well. Even in hotel, he keeps telling me that I bat well and should do better. He keeps motivating me and always talks about my batting,” Navdeep Saini said.
Saini has been featuring in the Indian set up since the World Cup. although as a net bowler. From the West Indies series, he has been featuring on a regular basis.
“There is lot to learn. I am learning as much as I am playing. Conditions are different than home. I am learning about my bowling, what lengths to bowl, how to plan, these things are important for me to learn and for my team. Difference is that margin of error is lower,” he expressed.
“You feel bad that you lose the series obviously, but we will learn from our mistakes. Winning or losing doesn’t matter much but our performances should get better,” Navdeep Saini said.
