Ankit Rajpoot replaces Navdeep Saini in India's net bowling squad for South Africa tour

What's the story?

Uttar Pradesh seamer Ankit Rajpoot has replaced Navdeep Saini in India's net bowling squad for their upcoming tour of South Africa. The 24-year old, who confirmed the development, sounded excited at the prospect of bowling to India's prominent Test batsmen and helping their preparation for the challenging Test series against the Proteas.

"You heard that right, I am going to South Africa as a practice bowler. Navdeep isn’t going, so I have been taken as a replacement. It was a surprise. I got to know about it last night when a mail came from the BCCI", Rajpoot told Sportstar.

He added, "At least, I am getting a chance. It is a good feeling to rub shoulders with the big players in different conditions. I don’t have any plan as of now, I will do what I am asked to. I have to read the conditions and do my best. My body is fit, it will further boost up before we leave for the tour."

The background

Apart from IPL stints with Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajpoot has also played 38 first-class matches for Uttar Pradesh. During the 2017/18 Ranji Trophy season, he picked 18 wickets from five matches at an average of 34.38.

The heart of the matter

The team management had requested the BCCI to provide them with four quality pacers as net bowlers in order to reduce the workload of the main fast bowlers in the Indian squad.

Rajpoot will join Hyderabad's Mohammad Siraj, Madhya Pradesh's Avesh Khan and Kerala's Basil Thampi in India's net bowling squad. Aside from assisting in providing the Indian batsmen with adequate practice during the Test series, the quartet will also ensure that the primary pacers do not bowl more overs than required in the net sessions.

Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav and Hardik Pandya are the leading seam options in India's 17-member squad.

What's next?

With the team management opting to cancel the only warm-up match ahead of the 3-match series, the net bowlers will have to play their part in assisting the batsmen to hit the ground running. The first Test between India and South Africa is scheduled to begin at Cape Town on January 5.

Author's take

Even though there has been no official word on the matter, the decision to replace Saini with Rajpoot could have risen out of the ongoing Ranji Trophy knockouts.

If Delhi progress to the final (which will take place from December 29 to January 2 in Indore), Saini's departure to South Africa could be delayed. Hence, BCCI have taken the right move to replace him with Rajpoot in India's net bowling squad.