Nitish should be nurtured in Test cricket like Jadeja: Uthappa
The Indian cricket team has been facing a lot of challenges in the ongoing Test series against South Africa, and one of the players who has been under the scanner is young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. Despite his impressive performances in the domestic circuit, Reddy has struggled to make an impact in the Test arena, scoring just 10 runs and remaining wicketless in the second Test. However, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa has come out in support of the young player, saying 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 all-rounder, but he needs to be given time to settle into the team. “Jadeja probably wasn’t ready for Test cricket, but MS Dhoni persisted with him,” Uthappa said in a recent interview. “Similarly, Nitish should be given more opportunities to prove himself in Test cricket. He has shown a lot of promise in the domestic circuit, and I believe he can make a big impact in the Test team if given the right guidance and support.”
Uthappa’s comments are significant, as Jadeja is one of the most successful all-rounders in Indian cricket history. Jadeja made his Test debut in 2012, but it took him a few years to establish himself as a regular member of the team. However, under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, Jadeja was given the freedom to express himself, and he went on to become one of the most important players in the team. Uthappa believes that Reddy can follow a similar path, but he needs to be given the same kind of support and guidance that Jadeja received.
Reddy, who made his Test debut earlier this year, has been impressive in the domestic circuit, scoring runs and taking wickets for his state team. However, he has struggled to replicate that form in the Test arena, and there have been questions raised about his technique and temperament. However, Uthappa believes that Reddy has the potential to overcome these challenges, and he can become a top-class all-rounder with the right kind of support and guidance.
One of the main reasons why Uthappa believes that Reddy should be given more opportunities is because of his impressive record in the domestic circuit. Reddy has been one of the most consistent performers in the Ranji Trophy, scoring runs and taking wickets for his state team. He has also been impressive in the limited-overs format, scoring runs and taking wickets in the IPL and other domestic tournaments. Uthappa believes that this kind of form can be translated into the Test arena, but Reddy needs to be given the right kind of support and guidance.
Another reason why Uthappa believes that Reddy should be nurtured like Jadeja is because of the similarities between the two players. Both Jadeja and Reddy are all-rounders who can bat and bowl, and they have the potential to make a big impact in the Test team. Jadeja has been one of the most successful all-rounders in Indian cricket history, and Uthappa believes that Reddy can follow a similar path. However, Reddy needs to be given the same kind of support and guidance that Jadeja received, and he needs to be allowed to express himself on the field.
The Indian cricket team has a long history of nurturing young talent, and Uthappa believes that Reddy should be given the same kind of support and guidance. The team has a number of experienced players who can guide Reddy and help him to develop his skills, and Uthappa believes that this kind of support can make a big difference. “The Indian team has a number of experienced players who can guide Nitish and help him to develop his skills,” Uthappa said. “Players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin can provide valuable guidance and support to Nitish, and help him to become a top-class all-rounder.”
In conclusion, Robin Uthappa’s comments are a timely reminder that young players like Nitish Kumar Reddy need to be given time to settle into the team. Reddy has shown a lot of promise in the domestic circuit, and he has the potential to become a top-class all-rounder. However, he needs to be given the right kind of support and guidance, and he needs to be allowed to express himself on the field. As Uthappa said, Jadeja probably wasn’t ready for Test cricket, but MS Dhoni persisted with him, and he went on to become one of the most successful all-rounders in Indian cricket history. Similarly, Reddy should be given more opportunities in Test cricket, and he should be nurtured like Jadeja.