Nitish should be nurtured in Test cricket like Jadeja: Uthappa
The Indian cricket team has been facing a tough time in their ongoing Test series against South Africa, with the young players in the squad coming under scrutiny for their performances. One such player who has been under fire is Nitish Kumar Reddy, the all-rounder who made his Test debut in the series. Despite his impressive performances in the domestic circuit and the Indian Premier League (IPL), Reddy has struggled to make an impact in the longest format of the game.
However, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa has come out in support of the young all-rounder, stating that he should be given more opportunities in Test cricket and nurtured like all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Uthappa, who has played for India in all formats of the game, believes that Reddy has the potential to become a top-class player, but needs to be given the time and patience to develop his skills.
“Jadeja probably wasn’t ready for Test cricket, but MS Dhoni persisted with him,” Uthappa said in a recent interview. “I think we should do the same with Nitish. He has shown a lot of promise in the shorter formats, and with some guidance and support, he can become a valuable asset for the Indian team in Test cricket as well.”
Uthappa’s comments come after Reddy’s underwhelming performance in the second Test against South Africa, where he scored just 10 runs and remained wicketless. However, the former India cricketer believes that one bad game does not define a player’s career, and that Reddy should be given a longer rope to prove himself.
“It’s not easy to adjust to Test cricket, especially when you’re playing against a top-quality side like South Africa,” Uthappa said. “Nitish is still learning the ropes, and he will make mistakes. But that’s all part of the learning process. What’s important is that he learns from his mistakes and comes back stronger.”
Uthappa’s comparison of Reddy with Jadeja is an interesting one, as Jadeja himself struggled to make an impact in Test cricket when he first started out. However, under the guidance of MS Dhoni, Jadeja was able to develop his skills and become one of the top all-rounders in the world. Uthappa believes that Reddy can follow a similar path, if he is given the right support and guidance.
“Jadeja is a great example of how a player can develop and improve with time and experience,” Uthappa said. “He was not an overnight success, and he had to work hard to get to where he is today. I think Nitish can follow a similar path, if he is given the right opportunities and support.”
Uthappa’s comments have sparked a debate about the way India nurtures its young players, particularly in Test cricket. While some believe that players should be given a longer rope to prove themselves, others argue that the competition for places in the Indian team is so fierce that only the best players should be given opportunities.
However, Uthappa believes that the Indian team’s success in the long term depends on its ability to develop and nurture young players like Reddy. “We need to have a long-term vision and plan for our players,” he said. “We can’t just discard players after one or two bad games. We need to give them the support and guidance they need to develop and improve.”
In conclusion, Robin Uthappa’s comments about Nitish Kumar Reddy are a timely reminder of the importance of nurturing young players in Indian cricket. While Reddy’s performances in the ongoing Test series against South Africa have been underwhelming, he has shown a lot of promise in the shorter formats of the game. With the right support and guidance, he can develop into a top-class player and become a valuable asset for the Indian team. As Uthappa said, “Nitish should be nurtured in Test cricket like Jadeja,” and given the time and patience to develop his skills.
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