'He is an aggressive captain' - Navdeep Saini opens up on Virat Kohli's captaincy style [Exclusive]

In an exclusive chat with CricTracker, Indian pacer Navdeep Saini reflected on batting stalwart Virat Kohli’s captaincy and the contrasts between playing under Kohli and Sanju Samson. The 32-year-old, who has donned the India jersey across formats, spoke about the influence of captains and senior bowlers on his career.

Saini, who grabbed headlines with Delhi’s domestic success in the 2017-18 Ranji season, was handed his T20I and ODI debuts under Kohli in 2019. His dream start included a match-winning spell on T20I debut against the West Indies. Later, he earned his Test cap in the iconic Australia series in 2021. However, injuries and irregular performances impacted his run after 2021. However, Saini has continued to grind in domestic and franchise cricket, most recently turning out for East Delhi Riders in the Delhi Premier League (DPL).

Having spent three seasons with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the pacer shared how Kohli personally backed him during his early IPL days. The fast bowler touched upon the skipper’s role in guiding his growth as a cricketer, both on and off the field. He also stressed what it felt like bowling to Kohli in the nets compared to facing him in an IPL match situation.

Excerpts

How did it feel when you received your India cap, knowing you started as a tennis-ball bowler in Karnal?

The journey was very good, and I enjoyed it. But it took a lot of time to get there. In 2012-13, I made my debut in the Ranji Trophy. After that, it took 6-7 years to get there. I enjoyed it a lot. The journey was very good.

Virat Kohli personally backed you in RCB — what role did he play in your growth as a bowler?

He played a very important role. When I got into IPL for the first time, I was in the Delhi Daredevils before the RCB. I didn't get a chance to play there. After that, my next domestic season was very good. I was picked in RCB. Although I didn't play in RCB in the first season, I just sat and watched. I had a lot to learn. Although I didn't play in RCB in the first season, the way the staff talked to me was very good. The players were talking to me in a very good way. Virat bhaiya was also good. He is also like that. If someone is playing or not, he doesn't look at it like that. But he sees everyone equally. Even though I didn't play in my first season, he talked to me in a very good way. I learned from him how to improve my fitness. How to give 110% in training. Whether it's bowling, batting, or fielding. You can have ups and downs in batting or bowling. But in fielding, you can have a good catch or run out and win the match. I learned a lot from him. When I played, he gave me a chance. There was a match against Chennai. He backed me a lot. Whenever we practised, he used to back me a lot. He never told me to do this or that. He always backed my strength. Because of that, I had such a good journey.

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Which Indian fast bowler has influenced your career the most?

I would like to take two names. Ishant Sharma bhaiyya and Mohammed Shami bhaiyya. I have seen them since I started playing. Whenever I meet them, they are always ready to talk to me. Whenever I call them or sit in front of them, they are always ready to talk to me. Even now, if I want to talk to them on the phone, they are always ready to talk to me. I have closely seen them work on their fitness and the performances they give. I have seen them closely in the red ball formats. That's why they are my favourites.

How different is it bowling to Virat Kohli in the nets compared to in an IPL game?

I don't think there is much difference. Because he bats in the same way in nets, as he does in matches. If we are practising in nets, and by chance, if we get a little aggressive, or hit a bouncer, or he hits a shot in front of us, and we throw it back. Even then, his intent remains the same. The way we see it in a match, the same thing happens in nets. This is what I was talking about, whatever I learned from him, whatever you are doing in nets, do it in the same way as you do in a match. Intensity is the same thing. We are talking about giving 110% effort. We are talking about doing the same thing on the ground as we do in a match. Because if we put our habits here, we will find it easier in a match.

Among Indian teammates, who motivated you the most during tough times?

The most important thing is that everything went well for me, and the most important thing is that when I made my debut, playing domestically was a big thing for me. I can never forget what Gautam bhaiyya did for me. The most important thing was that no one knew Nadeep Saini, no one was playing him. At that time, without knowing him, he saw my talent. He saw me for the first time. After that, he saw me closely and the way he helped me make my debut, that was the most important thing for me. After that, the season was very good. The journey goes up and down. I have no complaints about that.

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You’ve played under Virat Kohli at RCB and Sanju Samson at RR — how different are their captaincy styles?

Their captaincy is completely different. Sanju bhaiyya is relaxed, he doesn't look aggressive on the ground. On the other hand, Virat Kohli is aggressive. Always a proud moment to play under his captaincy. He is aggressive on the ground and never looks relaxed. The atmosphere of the match changes with his aggression. There are so many matches that he changed with his aggression. I think that's the difference.