Ramandeep Singh is set to make his debut for the Indian cricket team in the third T20I match against South Africa at Supersport Park in Centurion. The 27-year-old cricketer has earned the distinction of becoming the 118th player to represent India in T20I cricket. He has been brought into the playing XI as a replacement for Avesh Khan following India’s defeat in the second T20I.
After sticking with the same playing XI for the first two matches, India has decided to test their bench strength for the third T20I against South Africa. On Wednesday (November 13), Ramandeep Singh was handed his debut cap at Supersport Park in Centurion by Hardik Pandya. This milestone marks him as the 118th player to play T20I cricket for India, and the 8th player to debut in the shortest format for the national team in 2024.
Who Is Ramandeep Singh?
Ramandeep Singh is considered a late bloomer in cricket. He made his T20 debut for Punjab in 2017 and waited until 2019 to make his List A debut, with his first-class debut following in 2020. Known for his power-hitting and ability to bowl at a high pace, Ramandeep gained attention during the 2022 IPL mega auction when he was bought by Mumbai Indians (MI) for Rs. 20 Lakhs.
In the 2022 IPL season, Ramandeep played five matches under the leadership of Rohit Sharma and impressed with six wickets. Although he only had two opportunities to bat, he scored 45 runs.
Ramandeep did not feature in the 2023 season and was subsequently released by Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2024 auction. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured his services for Rs. 20 Lakhs. During the IPL 2024 season, Ramandeep emerged as an unsung hero in KKR’s title-winning campaign, scoring 125 runs in 14 matches at an outstanding strike rate of 201.61.
Recognizing his significant contributions to their 2024 title victory, KKR retained Ramandeep for Rs. 4 crore as an uncapped player ahead of the 2025 mega auction. He is one of the six players retained by KKR, joining Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, and Harshit Rana.
Ramandeep also showcased his talent in the 2024 Emerging Asia Cup as part of the India-A team. He scored 94 runs in three innings with an impressive strike rate of 191.83 and took three wickets in four overs.
Overall, Ramandeep Singh has played 57 T20 matches in his career, accumulating 544 runs at a strike rate of 170 and claiming 16 wickets. Beyond his batting and bowling prowess, he is regarded as one of the finest fielders in world cricket, known for taking spectacular catches in recent months.