“Handled Like Jadeja”— Uthappa Supports Struggling Test Youngster

Former cricketer Robin Uthappa said that the Indian team management is right to continue backing all-rounder Nitish Reddy in Test cricket. He pointed out that India rarely gets fast bowlers who can contribute with the bat, and that makes Nitish a valuable player. Uthappa compared Nitish’s situation to that of Ravindra Jadeja in the early years of his career.

He recalled that Jadeja wasn’t fully ready for Test cricket at the beginning but received constant support from then-captain MS Dhoni, which helped him grow into a key player. Speaking on his latest YouTube video, Robin Uthappa added:

“Yes, there are a few that you can really back with talent. I understand Nitish Kumar Reddy’s selection. He hasn’t really done in first-class cricket, but here comes an all-rounder from India who can bowl fast and bat well as well, and that, in India, comes very few and far in between.”

“So, you want to fast-track him and give him the opportunity at the highest level, you want to nurture the talent and see if that can be developed into something over a period of time. A lot like with what was done with Jadeja. He probably wasn’t ready for Test cricket, but Mahi persisted with him,” he added.

“Jadeja has set the benchmark”- Kaif to India’s all-rounders

Former cricketer and current commentator Mohammad Kaif believes that young Indian all-rounders Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy should take inspiration from Ravindra Jadeja. He explained that Jadeja focused mainly on his bowling in the early phase of his career and slowly worked on developing his batting over time.

Kaif mentioned this on his YouTube channel, saying:

“Washington Sundar has just come in and is already being called an all-rounder. Reddy is being called an all-rounder. Becoming an all-rounder takes a lot of time. First you must be a specialist. Tell me clearly, is Nitish Reddy a batter or a bowler? Jadeja has set a great example. Copy him. First bowling, bowling, bowling, then he kept improving his batting, gained experience, played long innings in Ranji, and scored runs.”