Indian speedster Navdeep Saini has signed with Kent to play the remainder of County Championship in England.
With this, Saini makes an entry into the list Indian players who signed a contract in the English County.
In the Indian domestic circuit, Saini represents Delhi, and he was a member of the Rajasthan Royals team in the Indian Premiere League. In a T20I match against Sri Lanka in July 2021 in Colombo, he made his final appearance for India.
Saini will play three County Championship matches and five Royal London Cup games, subject to his visa clearance. Saini is the fifth Indian player to sign a county contract after Washington Sundar for Lancashire, Cheteshwar Pujara for Sussex, Krunal Pandya for Warwickshire, and Umesh Yadav for Middlesex.
Saini will compete in five Royal London Cup games and three County Championship games, pending the approval of his visa. Now he becomes the fifth Indian player to join the County after Washington Sundar, Cheteshwar Pujara, Krunal Pandya, and Umesh Yadav as the sixth Indian player to sign a county contract.
“It’s a great opportunity to play county cricket and I’m looking forward to giving my all for Kent,” Saini was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Due to concerns about injuries and unfavourable pitches, Kent has had difficulty this season taking wickets. With only five games remaining in the season, their loss to Northamptonshire earlier this week has placed them in eighth place in the 10-team Division One tournament.
“In a year when it’s been difficult to take wickets, we’re excited to have the opportunity to add a fast bowler of Navdeep’s quality to our squad,” said Paul Downton, the Director of Kent.
Saini has represented India in two Tests, eight ODIs, and eleven T20Is. In his 53 first-class games total, he has 148 wickets at an average of 28.81, four five-wicket hauls, with best bowling figures of 6/32.
The right-arm fast from India will probably share the ball with New Zealand’s Matt Henry. Despite the fact that Kent is also believed to be representing South African all-rounder George Linde, the move seems less likely given that English counties are only permitted to field two foreign players in the starting XI.
