Indian cricket has seen several impressive debuts over the years, but few were as eye-catching as Ramandeep Singh’s. Explosive Punjab all-rounder, who smashed a six off the very first ball of his T20 International career-a dream start by any standard-but less than a year later, he finds himself completely sidelined with the BCCI abruptly dropping him from the national setup and no indication of a comeback anytime soon.
A Debut to Remember
Ramandeep made his T20I debut against South Africa in Centurion on November 13, 2024. He walked in to bat with confidence and launched his first ball bowled by Andile Simelane straight for six. For a moment, it felt like a star was being born but cricket doesn’t always follow the script.
Just two games later, following the final T20I in Johannesburg on November 15, 2024, Ramandeep was axed from the side. He has not represented India in that period since then.
Dropped Without a Clear Explanation
The sudden decision by the BCCI caught many fans off guard. Ramandeep had played just two T20Is, scoring 15 runs at a blistering strike rate of 250 and contributing with both ball and in the field. He wasn’t given a long rope, something Indian cricket speaks about a lot but doesn’t necessarily practice.
A powerful lower-order hitter and a handy medium pacer, Ramandeep looked like the kind of multi-utility player India could’ve groomed, particularly in the T20 format. Instead, he vanished from the selection radar.
Consistent Performer in Domestic and IPL Cricket
While his India career has stalled, Ramandeep is still putting in the yards in the domestic circuit. He represents Punjab in domestic cricket and plays for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.
He has so far appeared in 31 IPL matches, in which he has scored 217 runs and picked up six wickets. He has mostly been used as a floater, someone who can contribute in whatever role he has been assigned. It’s not the most glamorous role, but it’s the kind of versatility that keeps teams interested in a player.
Part of Yuvraj Singh’s Legacy
Ramandeep also belongs to a generation of Punjab cricketers heavily influenced by Yuvraj Singh’s mentorship. A talent pool comprising of Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, and Anmolpreet Singh benefitted from the tutelage of one of India’s all-time greats. That mentorship is one reason why many believe Ramandeep’s story isn’t over yet.
What’s next for Ramandeep Singh?
Talented, capable, but right now, he’s on the fringes. He isn’t part of India’s immediate plans. The selectors haven’t given clarity and with the competition for spots being tighter than ever.
But there are always surprise second innings to cricket careers. Ramandeep has shown glimpses of what he is capable of-that debut six is still remembered-and with some strong domestic performances, he could force his way back into the conversation.
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