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In a surprising move, Gautam Gambhir, the new head coach of India’s white-ball cricket team, is set to revive the career of pacer Navdeep Saini, who was often ignored by previous captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Gambhir, who replaced Rahul Dravid after the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, is expected to bring fresh perspectives and strategies to the team.
Gambhir’s childhood coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, has expressed confidence in the two-time World Cup-winning player’s ability to maximize the potential of his players. “Gambhir can get the best out of cricketers,” Bharadwaj told PTI. “I am confident that India will reach new heights with Gambhir at the helm.”
Bharadwaj also hinted that Gambhir might consider bringing back Kuldeep Yadav and Navdeep Saini into the national fold. “He could select players like Kuldeep Yadav and Navdeep Saini. They are his products. He did the same with Sunil Narine in IPL 2024. His observation and cricketing acumen are always outstanding,” he added.
Navdeep Saini, a promising pacer, had been largely overlooked during the tenures of Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri, and even under Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid. Despite his evident talent, Saini last played for India in 2021.
Kuldeep Yadav, who was part of the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup 2024 with 10 wickets in five matches, also hasn’t been a regular in Test matches or ODIs. Bharadwaj believes Gambhir’s leadership could change this. “Gambhir has a habit of taking on tough challenges. He won two World Cups for India and was instrumental in KKR’s three title wins,” he said.
Gambhir’s appointment marks a new era for Indian cricket, with fans and experts alike eager to see how his strategies and player selections will unfold. Reviving the careers of players like Navdeep Saini could be a game-changer for the team, bringing in a blend of experience and fresh talent.
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