'You get two all-rounders like him and Pandya': Uthappa urges Team India to hand debut to IPL 2024 star in SA series

Robin Uthappa had some advice for the Indian team management and urged them to hand out a debut to a cricketer for the ongoing South Africa series.

Updated on: Nov 10, 2024, 13:30:50 IST

By Neelav Chakravarti

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Since its inception, the Indian Premier League has played a massive role in unearthing hidden gems in Indian cricket. From Axar Patel to Suryakumar Yadav, many IPL stars have gone on to establish themselves within the national team setup. The latest is Ramandeep Singh, but he hasn't made his India debut yet.

Former player Robin Uthappa had some advice for Team India.

The all-rounder has been included in India's squad for the South Africa T20I series, but wasn't in the playing XI for the first fixture. Speaking on the 27-year-old's chances, former cricketer Robin Uthappa, JioCinema and Sports18 expert, called him 'one of the most exciting prospects' in Indian cricket currently.

Also Read | Samson shows conditions don’t apply for the India T20 side

Robin Uthappa backs special IPL 2024 star

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Uthappa said, "I would love for him to play. I think he is one of the most exciting prospects we have seen in the recent past. He is a handy all-rounder, his performances in the IPL has been second to none. As a finisher, he's played 62 balls, scored 125 runs, has fielded incredibly well, bowled when he is asked too. If you are striking at 200 and you are fielding as well as Ramandeep does and we have seen more of that when he played for India A in the recently-concluded series in Oman. So I am really excited to see him play."

Uthappa also urged Gautam Gambhir to use Ramandeep more frequently for Team India, and felt he could be the perfect all-rounder partner for Hardik Pandya in the future. "I have seen him in the past, but you didn't really see the potential in the past but in KKR, he has really come out there and he's come into his own perhaps and he is oozing confidence. So you want someone like that when things are going well, confidence is going high, you want to blood them in. If you can blood someone like him then you get two all-rounders in the likes of him and Hardik Pandya, which is gold to Indian cricket at this point in time," he said.

Ramandeep had a breakthrough IPL 2024 season with KKR, helping them win the title. Meanwhile, he also showed his potential at the recent Emerging Teams Asia Cup. The former MI player will be hoping to get a chance in the ongoing South Africa series.

Catch all the live action from South Africa vs. India 2024 - 2nd T20I on November 10, 2024, Sunday, 7:30 PM onwards, LIVE & Exclusive on JioCinema, Sports18 – 1 SD & HD, and Colors Cineplex SD & HD

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.