Ramandeep Singh aspires to emulate idol Andre Russell's heroics
What's the story
Ramandeep Singh, a rising star in Indian cricket, is making his mark as an all-rounder.
He is known for his aggressive batting in the lower middle order and effective medium-pace bowling.
Ramandeep has expressed his admiration for Andre Russell, a renowned all-rounder from West Indies.
"As an all-rounder myself, my role model is Andre Russell," he was quoted as saying.
Notably, the 27-year-old has earned his maiden India call-up for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa.
Aspiration
Ramandeep aims to instill fear in opponents like Russell
Ramandeep hopes to have the same impact on the game as his idol, Russell.
He wants his presence at the crease to instill fear in opponents, something he admires in 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," Ramandeep stated.
Mentorship
Russell's mentorship has been instrumental in Ramandeep's growth
During the Indian Premier League (IPL), Ramandeep got the chance to train under Russell, who also plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
"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," Ramandeep revealed.
This hands-on mentorship from his idol has played a huge role in his cricketing journey.
Learning
Ramandeep credits Russell for emphasizing on mastering basics
Ramandeep credits Russell for stressing on mastering the basics of the game.
He explained that although Russell is known for his power, he also sticks to the basics like having a strong base and a still head.
These lessons from Russell have paid off for Ramandeep, as seen in an intra-squad match at KKR where he sealed the game with a six.
Role definition
Ramandeep's role in team: Score more runs off fewer balls
Before the IPL season, Ramandeep attended a camp in Mumbai under Abhishek Nayar's guidance.
Here, his role was clearly defined- create an impact by scoring more runs off fewer balls.
His aggressive batting style has been instrumental in setting the stage for late onslaughts in matches.
During a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), his 17-ball 35 was crucial in providing momentum to KKR's innings, earning him praise from SRH coach Daniel Vettori.