India Call Up Navdeep Saini As Net Bowler

As the ongoing World Cup is entering its business phase, Team India has called up fast-bowler Navdeep Saini as a net bowler. The right-arm pacer, on Monday, arrived in Manchester in order to help the team prepare for the upcoming games. India will next play West Indies in Manchester in Thursday. One of the most consistent bowlers in domestic circuit in recent times, Saini made a huge mark in this year’s IPL.

Saini finished this year’s IPL with 11 wickets. More than the wickets, it was his pace that impressed all. On the batting friendly pitches, Saini was causing all sorts of trouble for the opposition as he consistently bowled at a pace of more than 140 kmph. Saini is the only net bowler with the Men in Blue and he will train with them, the BCCI said.

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At the start of the tournament, Deepak Chahar and Avesh Khan were the reserve bowlers for the team but left in the first week of June. Khaleel Ahmed remained with the team but he too left later. Consequently, India did not have any net bowler. With the most important part of the World Cup now starting, the Indian team-management would have wanted some quality net session,

Moreover, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar also sidelined with an injury, Saini can also be added to squad later if the former fails to recover in time. Bhuvneshwar suffered tightness in his left hamstring and walked off the field during the clash with Pakistan and subsequently missed the match against Afghanistan. There are still no updates on his fitness and he looks unlikely to play anytime soon.

As of now, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah are the two specialist pacers for the Indian team. Their partnership has started on a stunning note as the duo helped India defend a modest 224 against Afghanistan. Bumrah was the Man of the Match in that game while Shami had picked up a hat-trick. India, meanwhile, are still unbeaten in the World Cup. With four wins from 5 games, they are third in the points table.