Jaipur Stock：Ramandeep Singh, India’s six-hitting all-rounder, aims to make an impact like Andre Russell

“I never had any doubts about my game. My father was a sportsman, and he used to tell me that everyone has a different journey. Not everyone is lucky enough to get opportunities early, and even if you do, you must seize them,” Ramandeep tells this newspaper after receiving his maiden India call-up for the four-match T20I series against South Africa, starting on November 8.

Hardev Singh, who represented India in the Asian Track Cycling Championships, recalls when his son decided to change his playing style.

“I remember for Mohali in U-16 and U-19, Shubman used to open, and Ramandeep batted at No. 4. Despite doing well, he was not picked for the Punjab team even after helping Punjab win in U-23 one-day cricket. Then he decided to bat down the order at No. 6 and 7, given he also bowled medium ace. In the 2019-20 season, he got the chance to make his debut. He realized that he wouldn’t get any opportunities if he continued to bat in the top five,” says Hardev Singh.

After toiling hard, Ramandeep finally received recognition when he was picked by the in the IPL mega auction in 2022Jaipur Stock. He was signed to fill the void left by Hardik Pandya, but was later released by the franchise. roped him in, and , then their team mentor, assured him that he would play in all the games.

“Gautam sir told me I would be batting at NoChennai Investment. 7 and No. 8 and advised me to prepare accordingly,” says Ramandeep.

“During an intra-squad match at KKR, my side needed six runs off two balls to win, and I clinched the match with a six. Gautam sir told me, ‘You are my favourite cricketer in this team, and I will back you throughout the tournament. You should never play with fear’.”

Gambhir’s support has turned Ramandeep’s career around. While Salt and Narine often gave KKR a flying start in the powerplay, Ramandeep, batting at No. 7 or 8, has provided crucial finishing touches. The 26-year-old from Punjab has played only 62 balls in his 13 outings, scoring 125 runs at a strike rate of 201.61.

“Before the IPL, when we had a camp in Mumbai under Abhishek Nayar, I was given a clear role about what the team expected from me. I told myself that I had to perform extraordinarily to catch everyone’s attention,” he says.

“My role in the team is to create an impact. It is clearly defined for me: face fewer balls and score more runs,” he adds.

After joining KKR, Ramandeep met his idol, Andre Russell, who helped him with power-hitting techniques.

“As an all-rounder myself, my role model is Andre Russell. I want to have the same impact as him. When I go to the crease, there should be fear in the opposition that I will take the game away. I want to create that kind of impact for India,” he says.

“Gautam sir planned 30-minute range-hitting sessions, and Russell made sure he was with me. His insights helped me a lot during the IPL.”

During those sessions, Russell taught Ramandeep three fundamentals of power-hitting.Pune Investment

“Look, he is very powerful, but he also follows the basics. He has a strong base, a still head, and a full swing of the hands. He makes sure he perfects these fundamentals during those range-hitting sessions. From the outside, we think he just muscles every ball out of the park, but it’s his clarity with the basics that allows him to hit those sixes,” says Ramandeep.

In the recently concluded ACC Emerging Asia Cup 2024, Ramandeep went viral after taking a spectacular one-handed diving catch against Pakistan A. In the semi-final against Afghanistan, the six-hitting all-rounder scored 64 runs off 34 balls, shining as India’s lone bright star in a 20-run loss.

“I just want to continue playing like that and dominate the bowlers, regardless of the opposition. Six-hitting is my strength, and I want to rely on it,” he says.

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