IPL 2022: The pressure was on me, says Navdeep Saini on final over against Mumbai

Rajasthan Royals pacer Navdeep Saini on Saturday said that with the final over duties entrusted to him in the match against Mumbai Indians, he was feeling the pressure and felt that implementing the plans he had thought of became extremely important for him at that time.

With Mumbai needing 29 runs off the final six deliveries to chase down 194 at DY Patil Stadium, Saini's final over began with a wide, followed by Kieron Pollard drilling a drive off a full delivery through extra cover.

But Saini bowled two more full balls outside off-stump and then followed it up with a low full toss and wide yorker to keep Pollard quiet. Saini then got Pollard caught at deep extra cover on a full toss outside off-stump to seal a 23-run win for Rajasthan, their second straight win of the season.

"At that time, we knew one thing there were a lot of runs left. I had it in my mind that the plans I have, like the wide yorker, had to be executed with the runs and balls left. The pressure was on me and I had in me that with the plan I have, it was absolutely necessary to execute the plans. Even when the last two balls were left, I had thought of backing my strength and execute it," said Saini in the post-match virtual press conference.

Saini had gone off the field at the end of the 13th over as after taking a wonderful low catch to send back Ishan Kishan. He hit the ground while landing and had to go off the field. There were murmurs about a concussion replacement but Saini came back to defend 29 in the final over.

"When my head hit the ground, I had to go out for one-two overs. As soon as I felt normal, I came back to the field as I was needed. So, to bowl again, I came back on the field. I am fine right now," insisted the right-arm pacer.