Ramandeep Singh’s cricketing journey has been nothing short of a fairytale. From being released by the Mumbai Indians to becoming a vital cog in Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) 2024 title-winning campaign, the 27-year-old all-rounder has shown grit, patience, and growth. Hailing from Chandigarh, Ramandeep credits KKR for helping him unlock new dimensions of his game, both technically and mentally.
His stint with the Mumbai Indians began in 2022, but it didn’t go as planned. With just five games under his belt and Hardik Pandya returning to MI in 2024, Ramandeep was released. Rather than letting the setback define him, he responded with strong performances in the domestic circuit, including a title-winning run with Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. That was when KKR, closely monitoring his progress, came calling.
“Being picked by KKR changed everything,” Ramandeep Singh told ESPNcricinfo. “I remember a pre-season practice match last year — six needed off two balls, and I cleared the boundary. GG (Gautam Gambhir) had a long chat with me after. He said, ‘We’ll back you no matter what.’ That faith meant a lot.”
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Ramandeep also praised Abhishek Nayar, then KKR’s assistant coach, who pushed him to bat long hours in training — sometimes up to three hours straight — helping him build the mental and technical toughness needed at the top level.
As a lower-order finisher, Ramandeep shone in IPL 2024, scoring 125 runs at a strike rate of over 200. His efforts earned him a call-up to the India A squad for the T20 Emerging Asia Cup. And it was during a semi-final against Afghanistan that he learned about his India selection — through his father.
A sit-down with KKR’s Ramandeep Singh, who chats about his retention story, his work behind-the-scenes and the journey of the past three years. https://t.co/bZe0yGekCy
— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) April 15, 2025
“My coach called my dad to say congratulations. He was like, ‘For what? We lost.’ He didn’t know I’d made it to the national team. He cried when he found out,” Ramandeep Singh recalled fondly.
Heading into IPL 2025, KKR retained Ramandeep Singh for INR 4 crore. Despite not having a standout season yet — 29 runs from 23 balls and no bowling — he remains grateful for the trust shown in him.
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“Several teams said they’d go up to INR 9-10 crore if I entered the auction, but I value loyalty. KKR backed me when no one else did. Venky sir called before the retention list and said, ‘You’re in our plans.’ I told him straight — I’m staying. Money comes and goes, but trust and loyalty mean everything,” he said.
Ramandeep’s story is a powerful reminder that belief, hard work, and the right environment can transform careers.
