Nitish should be nurtured in Test cricket like Jadeja: Uthappa
The Indian cricket team has been on a rollercoaster ride in recent times, with the Test series against South Africa being a prime example. While the team has shown flashes of brilliance, there have been some underwhelming performances as well. One player who has come under the scanner is young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. Despite his impressive skills, Reddy has struggled to make an impact in the Test series, scoring just 10 runs and remaining wicketless in the second Test. However, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa believes that Reddy should be given more opportunities and nurtured like all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.
Uthappa’s comments come at a time when Reddy is facing criticism for his underwhelming performances. The young all-rounder was expected to make a significant impact in the Test series, but so far, he has failed to live up to the hype. However, Uthappa is of the opinion that Reddy should not be written off just yet. The former India cricketer believes that Reddy has the potential to become a top-class all-rounder, but he needs to be given more opportunities and nurtured like Jadeja.
“Jadeja probably wasn’t ready for Test cricket, but MS Dhoni persisted with him,” Uthappa said in an interview. “He was given a lot of opportunities, and he eventually became one of the best all-rounders in the world. I think the same approach should be taken with Reddy. He has the talent and the potential, but he needs to be given more opportunities to prove himself.”
Uthappa’s comments are not without merit. Jadeja, who is now considered one of the best all-rounders in the world, struggled to make an impact in his early days in Test cricket. However, under the guidance of MS Dhoni, he was given the opportunity to develop his skills and eventually became a key player for the Indian team. Similarly, Reddy needs to be given the opportunity to develop his skills and become a key player for the Indian team.
One of the main reasons why Reddy has struggled to make an impact in the Test series is the lack of experience. The young all-rounder has played just a handful of Test matches, and it is unfair to expect him to perform at a high level without giving him the necessary experience. Uthappa believes that Reddy should be given more opportunities to play Test cricket, even if it means that he struggles to make an impact in the short term.
“The most important thing is to give Reddy the opportunity to play Test cricket,” Uthappa said. “He needs to be given the chance to develop his skills and become a better player. It’s not going to happen overnight, but with time and experience, he can become a top-class all-rounder.”
Another reason why Reddy has struggled to make an impact in the Test series is the pressure to perform. The young all-rounder has been under a lot of pressure to deliver, and it has affected his performance on the field. Uthappa believes that Reddy needs to be given the freedom to play his natural game, without the pressure of expectation.
“Reddy needs to be given the freedom to play his natural game,” Uthappa said. “He can’t be expected to perform under pressure all the time. He needs to be given the chance to express himself and play his natural game, without the fear of failure.”
In conclusion, Robin Uthappa’s comments on Nitish Kumar Reddy are well-timed and well-deserved. The young all-rounder has the potential to become a top-class player, but he needs to be given more opportunities and nurtured like Jadeja. With experience and freedom to play his natural game, Reddy can become a key player for the Indian team. As Uthappa said, “Jadeja probably wasn’t ready for Test cricket, but MS Dhoni persisted with him. I think the same approach should be taken with Reddy.”
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