Jigar Naik

Squad Number - 22

Player Sponsor - Jalpur Millers

Born - Leicester, August 10, 1984

Joined - Leicestershire 2006

Role - Right Hand Batsman, Off-Break Bowler

Family -

Teams Represented - Leicestershire

Honours -

Highlight of Career - Making my first-class debutand scoring a first-class hundred

Players Admired - Claude Henderson, Erapalli Prasanna, Sachin Tendulkar, Andrew Flintoff

Relaxations - Music, Golf, Reading, Gym

Jigar Naik had an excellent 2009 season which saw him win the Livingstone Cup – the award given to the Club’s most improved uncapped player.

Naik bowled beautifully across all formats of the game, and memorably made his maiden first-class century against Derbyshire as apart of a game-saving stand with James Taylor. The duo set an all-time Club record for the eighth wicket.

It was a remarkable effort, particularly given the fact that he had not long returned from a broken arm sustained after being selected for his first Championship appearance of the season against Surrey.

That was due reward for some excellent Twenty20 performances and the injury was a cruel blow at a time he needed it the least.

However, he bounced back and the century was a great innings. It backed up the feeling that he can become a genuine all-rounder in the coming years.

Naik became the first Leicester-born Asian to represent the county in 2006 and has gone from strength to strength since then.

The off-spinner gets the ball to bounce and turn off the pitch and has developed under the watchful eye of new spin coach Claude Henderson. He has also formed a partnership with Henderson on the field as well as working with him off it.

Spent the pre-season of 2009 at the Darren Lehmann Academy, and that, no doubt aided his development massively.

Naik signed a new two-year deal at the end of the season and will hope that 2010 can be as successful as the last one.

Naik's career record at Leics (up to end of 2009 season):

JKH Naik 2009 (75.32 kB)