Australia vs India: Navdeep Saini will be a no-brainer choice if you go by cricketing logic: Ashish Nehra.
Australia vs India: The former left-arm Indian pacer Ashish Nehra says Navdeep Saini is going to be the first choice third seamer for India in the upcoming test. Nehra said Saini is a no-brainer pick for the third test match at Sydney Cricket Ground if you go by pure cricketing logic.
Both the side have been in woes by a string of injuries. Team India has already lost Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav due to wrist injury and calf injury respectively.
However, India still has two other options available apart from Navdeep Saini. Shardul Thakur and T Natarajan are also under the scanner for the third test.
“If you see at the squad composition, Navdeep Saini was the first choice while the other two, Natarajan and Shardul Thakur have been drafted in as a replacement of the injured players,” Nehra told PTI.
“So, if Saini was the first choice while selecting the squad then he must be the first choice pick of the captain and the management. I don’t see any strong reasons why he would not be picked for the third test. If you don’t go by the order then things will not be fair with Saini, to be honest,” Nehra added.
The former pacer also talked about the possible weapons in the test cricket.
Saini has extra bounce and pace: Ashish Nehra
“Saini has all the necessary things needed for test cricket. He has that cheeky bounce and extra pace too. He has been tested earlier. I don’t feel Natarajan should be given chance ahead of Saini and Thakur. Natarajan’s biggest weapons are slower balls and yorkers, players do not get trapped in these two balls as they are not trying to hit it.”
“If you want to play with Natarajan, then why didn’t you tested him by placing him in India A, like you tested Mohammad Siraj which turned out to be gold for the visitors,” Nehra added.
“Navdeep Saini has better records than Natarajan, he has featured in many red-ball games and has come up the ranks to get his place in the team. In test cricket, normally batsmen don’t get out on the tempting deliveries, you have to get them out one way or the other.”
Sydney pitches during the limited-over series were more like a flattened one, but in test cricket, it will not be the same. You will require some extra pace to trap the batsmen.
“Navdeep Saini has the ability to pitch up the ball, he has got that extra pace. You will need some pace when the Kukaburah seam will get flattened.”
These all make Navdeep Saini the best choice and according to the order, seniority, the number of games played, and his skills he will be ranked superior to Natarajan right now says, Ashish Nehra.
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