Interview | Navdeep Saini's grind reflect results at Delhi T20 league, blames injury behind IPL snub

Navdeep Saini failed to attract buyers at the mega-auction last year (BCCI Photo)

After a tough start in the ongoing edition of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), Navdeep Saini has sprung back to form. East Delhi Riders, the team Saini represents, have emerged victorious in the last three encounters, and the pacer has had a massive role to play in all of them. Saini bowled at an economy of less than six runs per over in those matches, which in return also ended his barren run in terms of wickets. Out of the total eight scalps that Saini has managed so far in the tournament, six came in the last three encounters.

The bowler, in an exclusive chat with Moneycontrol last week, spoke about his performance in the DPL 2025. Saini noted that irrespective of the returns, he was satisfied with his show, also acknowledging that there have been a few ups and downs. "I admit there have been a few ups and downs in the performance, but that's a part of the game. When you play such a long tournament, performance in one match or two is not relevant," said Saini.

"The most important part is the work you put in behind the scenes. No one knows about that; what am I doing, what I am not, everyone just looks at the result. So as a player, I feel good practice sessions are even more important because the way you grind is what reflects on the field," he added.

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Despite having played in the IPL previously and having a good amount of exposure in international cricket, Saini failed to attract buyers at the mega-auction last year. When asked if he takes any motivation from it to make a return, Saini blamed injury behind the setback. "I don't draw any motivation from the snub because I still have the same mindset, which I had when I started playing. If I went unsold in the IPL, it was due to injury.

“And after that, people are watching how Navdeep Saini is doing in matches, if he's still the same as he was before the injury."

Saini has represented India in all three formats, but his last appearance for the national team was over four years ago in a T20I encounter against Sri Lanka. With workload talks intensifying, as in the case of Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami - another premium pacer - showing a drop in fitness, India do need a supply of raw quicks to fill in as backups. However, Saini's ambitions aren’t limited to that; in fact, he wants to find his name in the playing XI.

"I don't look at making a return to the national team from that (India’s fast-bowling reserves) aspect. If I limit myself to that, then I might remain there. In the past, I've been part of a team, but I didn't get the opportunity to play; however, in my head, I always wanted to be in the playing XI. So if I think of making it to the playing XI, then I can only reach there; hence, the mindset is very important," he signed off.