Navdeep Saini's time-wasting tactics in Ranji Trophy goes Viral

Navdeep Saini’s time wasting tactics takes the match into a nerve-wracking finish in Delhi vs. Tamil Nadu Ranji Trophy contest

It was a thriller of a finish at the Arun Jaitley Stadium as Delhi and Tamil Nadu fought out a drama-filled draw in their Ranji Trophy match mostly because pacer Navdeep Saini was smarting with some very clever time-wasting measures. Saini, along with Himanshu Chauhan, played a gallant innings to try and stop Tamil Nadu from bagging their second successive victory of the season, scoring 15 runs off 64 balls under incredible resilience.

Best actor of cricket goes to Navdeep saini in #DELvsTN #RanjiTrophy2024 #ranjitrophy pic.twitter.com/sRLb2WfMnx
— Anything Good (@Praveen11851683) October 21, 2024

The turning point was when Saini, who had ducked under a bouncer that hit him on the helmet, called out for the physio, dramatically fell onto the ground only after giving a thumbs up to the fielders from the side of Tamil Nadu and the incident became viral with many people praising his acting. The moment resulted in both players and fans rolling onto their stomach in laughter.

Saini🤣😭🤣🤣😭#DELHIvTN #RanjiTrophy #Drama #Saini pic.twitter.com/DOOBCVIbiw
— Jophin J (@jophinjsrt10) October 21, 2024

Match Summary

Delhi snatched the draw from the jaws of defeat in a thrilling finish as they batted for 83 overs on the last day to reach 193 for 8 and save themselves from defeat, forced to follow on by a dominant Tamil Nadu. Saini’s resilience and bad light came in handy to help Delhi gain the vital point.

Tamil Nadu won the day with an imposing first innings total of 674 for 6, raised mainly by the double-century stand of Sai Sudharsan and a hundred-plus from Washington Sundar. Having dictated terms, Tamil Nadu’s decision to declare on Day 2 proved expensive in that they did not get to score seven points, including one for an innings win.

Tamil Nadu batted for 158.2 overs, taking two days in the process. While they can take pride in bowling Delhi out for 266, the hosts ensured that they survived for 100 overs in their first innings, courtesy of former captain Yash Dhull’s resilient unbeaten 105.

Then came a bit of an early setback for the Delhi team as Yash Dhull went cheaply in the second innings. Though Sanat Sangwan stuck around for a gritty 83 off 231 balls, at which point Himmat Singh added a quick 36 for the Delhi team, there seemed little hope even as they lost four wickets in a row from there on to fall from 150 for 4 to 180 for 8.

The finish was thrilling, with Navdeep Saini batting out 64 deliveries on his way to deny Tamil Nadu that last wicket and give Delhi the slices of hope which helped achieve a thriller of a draw and avoid the defeat.