Navdeep Saini
Role: Bowler
DOB: 23 November 1992
IPL Team (2026): Unsold
Base Price: N/A (Unsold in recent auctions)
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IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 33 | 10 | 5 | 20 | 10* | 4.00 | 26 | 76.92 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| 2022 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0* | – | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 10* | 5.00 | 10 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2019 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 8* | 5.00 | 14 | 71.42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0* | – | 1 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 33 | 672 | 984 | 21 | 2/24 | 46.85 | 8.78 | 32.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 | 48 | 91 | 3 | 2/36 | 30.33 | 11.37 | 16.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 2 | 36 | 59 | 1 | 1/27 | 59.00 | 9.83 | 36.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 13 | 264 | 378 | 6 | 2/24 | 63.00 | 8.59 | 44.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 13 | 264 | 366 | 11 | 2/24 | 33.27 | 8.31 | 24.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 3 | 60 | 90 | 0 | 0/20 | – | 9.00 | – | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Navdeep Saini
From a humble background in Karnal, Haryana, Navdeep Saini’s journey to the IPL is a testament to raw talent and perseverance. Discovered by none other than Gautam Gambhir, who famously fought for his inclusion in the Delhi Ranji team despite initial resistance, Saini quickly became known for his blistering pace. He wasn’t a product of a fancy academy; his early days were spent bowling on dusty local grounds, honing a natural ability to hit the deck hard and generate serious heat.
His IPL breakthrough came with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2018, though his impact truly began to be felt in the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Saini quickly established himself as RCB’s go-to bowler for pace, often clocking speeds upwards of 145 kmph. His ability to bowl searing yorkers and sharp bouncers, especially in the death overs, made him a vital cog in a bowling attack that often struggled for consistency. Fans will vividly recall his heroics in a Super Over against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2020, where he defended just 7 runs with pinpoint accuracy, showcasing nerves of steel under immense pressure.
Saini’s playing style is defined by aggression and pace. He’s a genuine fast bowler who aims to intimidate batsmen with sheer speed. While he can swing the new ball, his primary weapon remains his ability to rush batsmen, often forcing false shots. His action is smooth and repeatable, allowing him to maintain good lines and lengths when in rhythm. However, like many pace bowlers, he has battled with injuries and, at times, a tendency to be a touch expensive when his control wavers, leading to a rollercoaster IPL career.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Navdeep Saini’s IPL journey began with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He was picked up by the franchise in the 2018 mega-auction for a significant INR 3 Crore, a testament to the belief in his potential after a strong domestic showing. From 2018 to 2021, he was a key part of the RCB pace battery. His best years were 2019 and 2020, where he consistently picked up wickets and delivered crucial spells, especially at the death. In 2019, he bagged 11 wickets from 13 matches, and in 2020, he added 6 more, including that memorable Super Over performance.
Following his stint with RCB, Saini entered the mega-auction in 2022, where Rajasthan Royals (RR) secured his services for INR 2.6 Crore. However, his time with RR was unfortunately marred by injuries and limited opportunities. He played only two matches in the 2022 season, picking up 3 wickets but proving expensive, conceding over 11 runs per over. Since 2022, Saini has struggled to find a regular spot in the IPL, going unsold in subsequent auctions (2023, 2024, 2025), primarily due to a combination of injury concerns and a dip in form. As of IPL 2026, he remains an unsold commodity, hoping for another chance to showcase his express pace.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
From a betting perspective, Navdeep Saini is a high-risk, high-reward proposition. His primary strength is raw pace, which on pitches offering even a hint of bounce, can be devastating. When he’s in rhythm and hitting his lengths, he’s a genuine wicket-taker, capable of dismantling batting line-ups with express speed and accurate yorkers. Bettors might consider backing him for ‘Most Wickets’ in a specific match if the pitch report suggests a fast, bouncy surface, or if he’s bowling against a team known to struggle against genuine pace.
However, Saini’s major weakness lies in his consistency and injury history. He can be expensive on flat tracks, and his economy rate has often hovered around the 9 runs per over mark. This makes him a potential target for ‘Over’ bets on his runs conceded. His lack of significant variations beyond pace can also make him predictable for experienced batsmen. For bettors, it’s crucial to monitor his recent form and fitness closely. If he makes a comeback, look for early signs of control and pace. Betting against him on smaller grounds or batting-friendly surfaces, especially in the death overs, could be a shrewd move due to his tendency to leak runs when slightly off his mark. His career strike rate of 32.00 suggests he takes a wicket every 5.3 overs, which isn’t elite but shows his wicket-taking potential when given a longer spell.
Key Records & Milestones
- Super Over Hero: Successfully defended just 7 runs in a Super Over against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2020, showcasing exceptional death bowling under pressure.
- Pace Merchant: Consistently bowled deliveries above 145 kmph during his prime with RCB, establishing himself as one of the fastest Indian bowlers in the league.
- Best Bowling Figures: Recorded his best IPL figures of 2/24 on two occasions – against Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2019 and against Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2020.
- Early Impact: Was a key part of RCB’s bowling attack from 2019-2020, picking up 11 and 6 wickets respectively, often being the only genuine pace threat in their lineup.
IPL Season Highlights
Navdeep Saini’s most impactful IPL seasons were undoubtedly 2019 and 2020 with Royal Challengers Bangalore. In IPL 2019, he truly announced his arrival, picking up 11 wickets from 13 matches at an average of 33.27. His spell of 2/24 against Kings XI Punjab was a standout, where he bowled with fire and aggression, dismantling their middle order. He consistently troubled batsmen with his raw pace and ability to hit hard lengths, becoming a fan favourite.
The 2020 season, played in the UAE, saw Saini continue to be a vital asset, albeit with fewer wickets (6 from 13 matches). However, his economy rate remained respectable for a pace bowler, and he delivered arguably his most memorable performance in the Super Over against Mumbai Indians. Defending a paltry 7 runs, Saini bowled with incredible precision, mixing yorkers and bouncers to restrict MI, securing a famous win for RCB. This performance highlighted his ability to perform under extreme pressure, cementing his reputation as a big-match player when in form.