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 spotlight 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, and his recent outing in the second Test against South Africa was no exception. The 22-year-old scored just 10 runs and remained wicketless in the match, prompting many to question his inclusion in the team.
However, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa has come out in support of the young all-rounder, saying that he should be given more opportunities in Test cricket and nurtured like all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Uthappa, who has been a part of the Indian team in the past, believes that Reddy has the potential to become a key player for India in the long run, but he needs to be given time to settle and develop his skills.
“Jadeja probably wasn’t ready for Test cricket, but MS Dhoni persisted with him,” Uthappa said in a recent interview. “Similarly, Nitish needs to be given more opportunities and nurtured like Jadeja was. He has the talent and the potential to become a great all-rounder, but he needs to be given time to develop his skills and gain experience.”
Uthappa’s comments are significant, as they highlight the importance of giving young players time to develop and settle into the team. Jadeja, who is now one of India’s most experienced and successful all-rounders, was also struggling to make an impact in Test cricket when he first started out. However, under the guidance of MS Dhoni, he was given the opportunity to develop his skills and gain experience, and he has since become a key player for India.
Reddy, who made his Test debut against Australia last year, has been struggling to make an impact in the format. He has played just five Test matches so far, scoring 120 runs and taking just two wickets. However, despite his struggles, Uthappa believes that he has the potential to become a great all-rounder, and that he should be given more opportunities to develop his skills.
“Nitish has the talent and the potential to become a great all-rounder,” Uthappa said. “He has already shown his skills in the domestic circuit, and now he needs to be given the opportunity to develop his skills and gain experience at the international level. If we can give him the same kind of support and guidance that Jadeja received, I am sure he will come good and become a key player for India.”
Uthappa’s comments are also significant, as they highlight the importance of having a strong support system for young players. Jadeja, who has been one of India’s most successful all-rounders in recent years, has often spoken about the importance of having a strong support system, and how it has helped him to develop his skills and gain confidence.
“I think it’s very important to have a strong support system for young players,” Uthappa said. “When you are playing at the international level, you are under a lot of pressure, and you need to have people around you who can guide and support you. Jadeja had MS Dhoni, who was a great captain and a great mentor, and I think Nitish needs someone like that to guide him and help him develop his skills.”
In conclusion, Robin Uthappa’s comments are a timely reminder of the importance of giving young players time to develop and settle into the team. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has been struggling to make an impact in Test cricket, needs to be given more opportunities to develop his skills and gain experience, and he should be nurtured like Ravindra Jadeja was. With the right kind of support and guidance, Reddy has the potential to become a great all-rounder, and he can play a key role for India in the long run.
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