Pacer Navdeep Saini’s time-wasting tactics from Ranji Trophy clash between Delhi and Tamil Nadu has gone viral after the hosts were able to get a draw at the Arun Jaitley stadium on October 21, Monday.
Saini and Himanshu Chauhan put in a valiant display to deny Tamil Nadu their second straight win of the campaign. The Delhi pacer scored 15 runs off 64 balls as his resilience forced the visitors to accept defeat in the end.
However, the major talking point after the matchwas a moment where Saini decided to waste some time to ensure that his side would get to safety in the end. While batting, Saini was struck on his helmet by a delivery that he ended up ducking to. As there was concern from the Tamil Nadu fielders, Saini would give the thumbs up to everyone to say that he was fine. However, a few moments later, the pacer would quickly call for the physio and had a dramatic fall to the ground.
The video has since gone viral, with many praising his acting skills.
The theatrics of Saini certainly got the players and fans giggling.
What happened in the Delhi vs Tamil Nadu match?
In a nail-biting conclusion at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi managed to escape with a hard-fought draw against a dominant Tamil Nadu side on the final day of the second round of the Ranji Trophy. Delhi, forced to follow on, batted for 83 overs on the last day and finished at 193 for 8, narrowly avoiding defeat. Resolute batting from tail-ender Navdeep Saini and the intervention of bad light helped Delhi secure a point from the encounter.
In their first innings, Tamil Nadu posted a massive 674 for 6, powered by a double century from Sai Sudharsan and a dominant hundred from Washington Sundar, who impressed at No. 3. Despite their commanding position, Tamil Nadu’s decision to declare late on Day 2 came back to haunt them, as they missed out on an opportunity to earn seven points, including a bonus point for an innings victory.
Tamil Nadu batted for 158.2 overs, stretching their first innings over two days. While they bowled Delhi out for 266, the hosts managed to occupy the crease for 100 overs, with former captain Yash Dhull standing tall with an unbeaten 105 in the first innings.
In the second innings, Delhi stumbled early when Yash Dhull, who opened, was dismissed cheaply. However, Sanat Sangwan played a gritty knock, scoring 83 off 231 deliveries to resist Tamil Nadu’s charge. Captain Himmat Singh provided some attacking flair with a quick 36, but Delhi’s hopes began to crumble as they lost four wickets in quick succession, slipping from 150 for 4 to 180 for 8 late on Day 4.
Navdeep Saini then stepped up in the final hour, batting out 64 crucial deliveries to deny Tamil Nadu the final wicket they needed, helping Delhi secure a dramatic draw and escape defeat.