India vs New Zealand T20s: 3 Indian players to watch out for

#2 Navdeep Saini

Navdeep Saini

27-year-old Navdeep Saini is India’s latest pace sensation. He has come up with a couple of memorable performances in a short international career, and his ability to bowl real quick can be an asset to the team if he can maintain his fitness.

Saini was the man of the match in the Indore T20I against Sri Lanka earlier this month. He dismissed Danushka Gunathilaka with an unplayable yorker and also bowled a well-directed short ball to get rid of Bhanuka Rajapaksa.

He continued his good work at Pune, this time cleaning up Kusal Perera with a yorker, and dismissing Dhananjaya de Silva with a short ball to finish with 3 for 28. Saini was named man of the series for his impressive showing.

Not many may actually remember that Saini was, in fact, man of the match on his T20I debut against West Indies at Lauderhill in August last year. He picked up 3 for 17, dismissing Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard and Shimron Hetmyer. While he was expensive in the ODIs against Australia, he did claim a couple of crucial scalps.

Different conditions on offer in New Zealand will definitely test Saini. It remains to be seen how he responds to the challenge.