Ramandeep Singh eyes 'Russell-like' big impact after receiving maiden T20I call

Ramandeep Singh, the talented all-rounder from Punjab, has been rewarded for his impressive performances in the 2024 IPL by earning his first call-up to the India T20I squad. Announced on October 25, Ramandeep will join the national team for a four-match series against South Africa. The series is set to begin on November 8 in Durban under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav.

After playing a crucial role in the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) title victory this year, Ramandeep expressed his excitement and ambition during a recent interview with Indian Express. He revealed his aspirations to make a significant impact in the T20 format, similar to that of his idol, Andre Russell.

Ramandeep stated, “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.”

Having had the opportunity to play alongside Russell in the IPL, Ramandeep credited the West Indies star for enhancing his power-hitting skills. He shared insights into their practice sessions, revealing that KKR’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, arranged dedicated range-hitting drills where Russell provided valuable guidance. Ramandeep elaborated, “Gautam (Gambhir) sir planned 30-minute range-hitting sessions, and Russell made sure he was with me. His insights helped me a lot during the IPL.”

“He has a strong base”, Ramandeep Singh praises Russell

Ramandeep Singh emphasized the importance of mastering the fundamentals of batting, acknowledging that while Russell is known for his immense power, it is his adherence to basic techniques that allow him to succeed. “He has a strong base, a still head, and a full swing of the hands. 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,” he explained.

Discussing his preparation for the IPL, Ramandeep highlighted Gambhir’s role in shaping his approach. The coach provided him with clear expectations regarding his batting position and encouraged him to play fearlessly. “Gautam sir told me I would be batting at No. 7 and No. 8 and advised me to prepare accordingly. You should never play with fear,” he recalled.

Ramandeep’s performance in the ACC Emerging Teams Men’s Asia Cup for India A also contributed to his selection. He is determined to continue his attacking style, emphasizing his strength in hitting sixes: “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.”