Indian fast bowler Navdeep Saini All Set To Play For Kent in the Ongoing Season

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• Jul 15, 2022 | Poonam Nath

The Indian bowler is to play in England's domestic cricket season alongside Cheteshwar Pujara, Washington Sundar, Krunal Pandya, and Umesh Yadav.

Digital Desk: Fast bowler Navdeep Saini is the most recent Indian player to get a contract to play county cricket after agreeing to a deal with Kent.

Saini last represented India on a tour of Sri Lanka a year ago. He played domestic cricket for Delhi and was a member of the Rajasthan Royals IPL 2022 roster. He will participate in three County Championship games and five Royal London Cup games, depending on his visa and regulatory approval.

Navdeep Saini is the sixth Indian to be awarded a county contract in 2022.

He is the sixth Indian player to sign a county contract in 2022, joining Cheteshwar Pujara (Sussex), Washington Sundar (Lancashire), Krunal Pandya (Warwickshire), and Umesh Yadav. (Middlesex).

"It's a fantastic chance to play county cricket, and I'm excited to give my all for Kent," Saini said.

Saini is set to play with New Zealand seamer Matt Henry, who is returning to Kent for a second season after making a mark in 2018 and might make his debut against Warwickshire the following week. They also have South African all-rounder George Linde on their list, but counties are only permitted to field two international players.

After losing to Northamptonshire this week, Kent now ranks eighth in the 10-team Division One table with five games remaining. Due to a combination of health, form, and flat pitches, Kent has failed to gather Championship wickets this season.

Kent Director of Cricket Paul Downton Is Overjoyed To Have Navdeep Saini On Board.

As a result of their lack of success with the ball, their director of cricket, Paul Downton, opted to explore the transfer market.

"In a year when taking wickets has been tough, we're thrilled to have the opportunity to add a fast bowler of Navdeep's calibre to our roster," Downton said.

The Royal London Cup is played concurrently with the Hundred, and the absence of Indian players from the ECB's brand-new 100-ball competition has angered the organisation. 

Despite Saini and other recent India internationals appearing in the second-string 50-over competition, the BCCI restricts current players from participating in any overseas short-form events.

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