His antics eventually proved fruitful for Delhi as they scrap a draw by battling it out in the end overs.
Some dramatic scenes unfolded during the end moments of the Group D encounter between Delhi and Tamil Nadu of the Ranji Trophy 2024/25. Navdeep Saini was involved in faking an injury to waste some time and ensure a draw between the two sides.
The bowler bowled a bouncer, to which Navdeep tried to duck, but the ball hit his helmet directly. As the bowler asked whether he was fine after taking a blow on his head, Saini gave him a thumbs up, gesturing he was okay and that the blow wasn’t harsh enough to result in any serious consequences.
However, he immediately realised he could waste some time by calling the physio and signalled to the pavilion, asking for some treatment from the medical team. He laid down on the ground while holding his helmet, suggesting he was in pain due to that bouncer.
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The whole event seemed dramatic, and Tamil Nadu players felt Saini was doing it deliberately to cut some time, which would help him face fewer balls. They couldn’t stop laughing, and as a spectator, Saini definitely looked to be faking it because Delhi had nothing to gain during the follow-on, and the light was fading.
Navdeep Saini’s antics eventually proved fruitful for Delhi as they scrap a draw by battling it out in the end overs. After winning the toss, Delhi opted to field first, but the move backfired.
Tamil Nadu piled on a whopping 674/6 in the first innings – thanks to a terrific double-ton by Sai Sudharsan, who scored 213 runs in 274 balls, including 25 boundaries and a maximum. Washington Sundar (152) and Pradosh Paul (177) also notched up magnificent centuries before Tamil Nadu declared.
While batting in their first innings, Delhi were bundled on a mere 266, even though Yash Dhull played a valiant knock of 105 runs in 197 balls, with the help of 11 boundaries and three maximums. Tamil Nadu decided to enforce a follow-on on Delhi, asking them to bat again.
Delhi were reduced to 180/8 and looked set to lose the game before Navdeep Saini (15) faced 64 balls while batting at No.8. After ample drama, Delhi finally managed to draw the game in the end.
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