Virat Kohli amazed by Navdeep Saini's quick-fire knock against New Zealand

Navdeep Saini has been a revelation ever since he impressed everyone ever since he made his debut for Delhi way back in 2015-16 after being discovered by Gautam Gambhir. The Haryana-born bowler also made quite an impression for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL as well, picking wickets and bowling at speeds of over 150kph regularly.

Therefore, it was just a matter of time that he was called up for his India debut, which he made against West Indies in a T20I match in Fort Lauderhill in the USA. Ever since then, he has impressed everyone and has picked 13 wickets in T20Is and 5 scalps in T20I matches. But little did anyone knew that he was also adept with the willow in the hand as well, something which he put to display in the second ODI against New Zealand in Auckland.

Saini came in with India toiling at 153/7 chasing New Zealand’s 273 runs and Jadeja running out of partners. Saini gave him brilliant support in an entertaining 76-run partnership and he slammed 45 runs in just 49 balls with five fours and 2 sixes to his name. His innings came to an end while trying to go for another six.

Navdeep Saini leaves skipper Virat Kohli amazed

Just before his dismissal, Saini smashed Kyle Jamieson for a maximum leaving everyone, including skipper Virat Kohli amazed. The Indian captain was elated with the performance shown by the lower order with the bat and applauded the same during the post-match presentation.

“We didn’t know how good Saini could be with the bat, so if the lower order could be that good, then it inspires the middle order and the top order to step it up too,” Kohli was quoted as saying during the presentation.

Unfortunately, Jadeja’s 55 and Iyer’s 52 went in vain as Indian core batsmen failed to come to the party during the chase. India was bowled out for 221 runs in the 49th over with debutant Kyle Jamieson starred with the bat, making 25* and picking two wickets and was named Man of the Match as well. The last match of the series will be played at Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval on February 11.

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