When you talk about raw pace in Indian cricket, one name that often comes up is Navdeep Saini. Known for his ability to consistently clock over 140 km/h, Saini has built a reputation as one of India’s most promising fast bowlers. His journey from the streets of Karnal, Haryana, to wearing the Indian jersey is nothing short of inspiring.
If you’ve been curious about his stats, career milestones, and how he’s fared across formats like Tests, ODIs, T20Is, and the IPL, this detailed profile will give you everything you need to know.
Early Life and Background
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Full Name: Navdeep Amarjeet Saini
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Date of Birth: November 23, 1992 (Age 32 as of 2024)
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Birthplace: Karnal, Haryana, India
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Role: Bowler
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Batting Style: Right-handed bat
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Bowling Style: Right-arm fast
Growing up, Saini didn’t come from a traditional cricketing background. He didn’t have access to elite facilities or academies in his early days. Instead, his rise was powered by raw talent, hard work, and the ability to bowl quick and trouble batters. His story is a reminder that passion and persistence can break through even the toughest odds.
Navdeep Saini’s International Rankings
While Saini hasn’t broken into the top spots of ICC rankings yet, his presence as a backup fast bowler has been crucial for India, especially during overseas tours.
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ICC Batting Rankings: Not ranked in Tests, ODIs, or T20Is
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ICC Bowling Rankings: Not ranked currently, but remains in India’s wider pool of pacers
Batting Career Stats
Though primarily a bowler, Navdeep Saini has chipped in with the bat occasionally. Let’s take a closer look at his numbers across formats.
Test Stats
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Matches: 2
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Innings: 3
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Runs: 8
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Highest Score: 5
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Batting Average: 4.0
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Strike Rate: 29.63
ODI Stats
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Matches: 8
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Innings: 5
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Runs: 107
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Highest Score: 45
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Average: 53.5
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Strike Rate: 78.11
Interestingly, his ODI batting average looks impressive thanks to staying not out in key moments.
T20I Stats
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Matches: 11
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Innings: 3
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Runs: 12
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Highest Score: 11*
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Strike Rate: 109.1
IPL Stats
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Matches: 32
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Innings: 7
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Runs: 33
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Highest Score: 12
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Average: 8.25
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Strike Rate: 89.19
Clearly, Saini’s contributions with the bat are more about holding one end rather than scoring big runs.
Bowling Career Stats
This is where Navdeep Saini shines. His ability to generate pace and bounce makes him a threat, particularly in limited-overs cricket.
Test Bowling
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Matches: 2
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Wickets: 4
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Best Bowling: 2/54
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Average: 43.0
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Strike Rate: 62.75
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Economy: 4.11
ODI Bowling
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Matches: 8
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Wickets: 6
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Best Bowling: 2/58
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Average: 80.17
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Strike Rate: 70.0
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Economy: 6.87
While his ODI record isn’t standout, he showed promise in bursts.
T20I Bowling
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Matches: 11
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Wickets: 13
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Best Bowling: 3/17
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Average: 18.08
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Economy: 7.16
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Strike Rate: 15.15
This is Saini’s strongest format at the international level. His pace and yorkers make him effective in death overs.
Also Read : David Miller Profile – Age, Career Info & Stats
IPL Bowling
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Matches: 32
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Wickets: 23
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Best Bowling: 3/40
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Average: 42.35
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Economy: 8.88
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Strike Rate: 28.61
In the IPL, Saini has shown flashes of brilliance but also inconsistency, something he’s been working to improve.
Career Highlights
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T20I Debut: August 3, 2019, vs West Indies (Central Broward Regional Park, USA)
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Last T20I: July 28, 2021, vs Sri Lanka (R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)
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Test Debut: January 7, 2021, vs Australia (Sydney Cricket Ground)
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Last Test: January 15, 2021, vs Australia (The Gabba, Brisbane)
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ODI Debut: December 22, 2019, vs West Indies (Barabati Stadium)
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Last ODI: July 23, 2021, vs Sri Lanka (R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)
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IPL Debut: March 23, 2019, for RCB vs Chennai Super Kings (Chepauk, Chennai)
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Last IPL Appearance: May 19, 2023, for RR vs Punjab Kings (HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala)
What Makes Navdeep Saini Stand Out?
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Sheer Pace: Consistently bowls over 140 km/h, rattling even experienced batters.
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Yorker Specialist: Especially in T20 cricket, he’s known for nailing yorkers in crunch moments.
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Fighting Spirit: Despite injuries and tough competition, he’s remained in contention for India and IPL teams.
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Versatility: Can bowl with the new ball or at the death, giving captains flexibility.
Challenges in His Career
Like many fast bowlers, Navdeep Saini has faced his share of setbacks:
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Injuries: Recurring fitness issues have limited his appearances.
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Consistency: Struggles to maintain control in ODIs and IPL, leading to expensive spells.
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Competition: With India producing many fast bowlers, cementing a permanent spot has been tough.
The Road Ahead
At 32, Saini still has years left in his career, especially in T20 leagues and as a backup for the Indian team. With experience on his side, he has the opportunity to refine his skills, focus on consistency, and play a bigger role in India’s pace attack.
Expect to see him more in domestic cricket, IPL, and possibly making a comeback to the national side if he can string together strong performances.
Final Thoughts
Navdeep Saini may not have the record books filled with jaw-dropping numbers yet, but his story is far from over. He’s the kind of bowler who can turn a match on its head with a fiery spell. Fans love his raw pace, and with a bit more consistency, he could become a regular name in India’s fast-bowling lineup again.
If you’re a fan of speedsters who bowl with heart, Navdeep Saini is definitely someone to keep watching.
