After the Haryana speedster Navdeep Saini starred in his debut match against the West Indies in Florida on Saturday, former India opener batsman Gautam Gambhir slammed Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) members Bishen Singh Bedi and Chetan Chauhan for objecting Gambhir’s call to bring in Saini in the Delhi Ranji team.

Reportedly, Bedi and Chauhan were part of the faction of DDCA members who had not approved Gambhir’s choice to include Saini in the Delhi team. However, Gambhir continued to believe the abilities of the 26-year-old and the right-arm pacer too showcased his class in the domestic circuit before making his India debut.

“Kudos Navdeep Saini on ur India debut. U already have 2 wkts even before u have bowled — @BishanBedi & @ChetanChauhanCr. Their middle stumps are gone seeing debut of a player whose cricketing obituary they wrote even before he stepped on the field, shame!!!” tweeted Gambhir on Saturday.

Kudos Navdeep Saini on ur India debut. U already have 2 wkts even before u have bowled— @BishanBedi & @ChetanChauhanCr. Their middle stumps are gone seeing debut of a player whose cricketing obituary they wrote even before he stepped on the field, shame!!! @BCCI pic.twitter.com/skD77GYjk9

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 3, 2019

Saini had an impressive debut in the international arena on Saturday as he claimed three Carribean wickets, giving away just 17 runs from his four overs.

Saini, who came into the attack in the fifth over, sent West Indies’ batsmen Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer back to the pavilion in successive deliveries in his very first over. The 26-year-old later picked up Kieron Pollard in the final over without conceding a single run.

It is to note that Saini was the second-highest wicket-taker in the five-match unofficial ODI series for India A in the West Indies where he bagged nine wickets. Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2019 IPL season, he had also impressed with his pace clocking 152.85 kmph beside picking 11 wickets from 13 games.

Talking about the match, chasing a paltry 96, India won the match by 4 wickets with 16 balls to spare.

(With inputs from IANS)