Navdeep Saini joins Kent for County Championship

Navdeep Saini has signed with Kent to become the newest Indian member to sign a player contract in the English county. Saini plays for Delhi in the Indian domestic circuit and was part of the Rajasthan Royals squad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) squad. He last played for India in July 2021 against Sri Lanka in Colombo in a T20I.

Saini will play three County Championship matches and five Royal London Cup games, subject to his visa clearance. Saini is the fifth Indian player to sign a county contract after Washington Sundar for Lancashire, Cheteshwar Pujara for Sussex, Krunal Pandya for Warwickshire, and Umesh Yadav for Middlesex.

“It’s a great opportunity to play county cricket and I’m looking forward to giving my all for Kent,” Saini was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

We’re excited to add a fast bowler of Navdeep’s quality: Paul Downton

Saini will play along with the Kiwi fast bowler Matt Henry, who will return to the team for a second stint after 2018. South African all-rounder George Linde is also in the squad, but only two overseas players can make the playing XI.

Kent have been struggling this season to take wickets due to injury concerns and unfriendly pitches. Their loss to Northamptonshire earlier in the week has left them in the eighth position in the 10-team Division One competition, with only five games left in the season.

“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,” said Paul Downton, the Director of Kent.

Saini has played two Tests, eight ODIs, and 11 T20Is for India. He has 53 first-class matches overall and has picked up 148 wickets in 91 innings at an average of 28.81 with four five-wicket hauls and best bowling figures of6/32. The 29-year-old played in a warmup game against Leicestershire for India last month and picked three wickets for 55 runs.