Navdeep Saini called up by Team India as net bowler

Team India have called up Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi pacer Navdeep Saini to act as a net bowler for their ongoing campaign at the 2019 World Cup. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained against Pakistan and Khaleel Ahmed released for India A duties, the team were a quality pacer down during the practice sessions.

The news was confirmed by BCCI in a short statement:

“Navdeep Saini has arrived in Manchester. Navdeep is the only net bowler and he will train with the Indian cricket team.”

Saini was among the list of the 5 standby players who were named for the World Cup. He impressed with his pace and wicket-taking ability during the 2019 edition of the IPL, playing under Indian skipper Virat Kohli. There is still no update on the injury status of Bhuvneshwar Kumar after it was revealed that he would be assessed eight days after the injury. In his absence, Mohammed Shami has performed admirably well, picking up a hat-trick in the game against Afghanistan.

The Indian team has already had to name one replacement in the middle of the tournament after Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out with a thumb injury. He was replaced by Rishabh Pant. The management will be hoping that they do not have to make another change in the middle of the tournament.