Bring Ramandeep Singh on at number 8: Robin Uthhappa after India's Gqeberha loss

Uthhappa said that as India prepare for the second ODI, it was important to not tinker much with the top order given the in-form nature of the top three batters.

Robin Uthhappa feels that all-rounder Ramandeep Singh should be brought into the playing XI for the second ODI against South Africa in place of Venkatesh Iyer.

Uthhappa said that he would make two changes to the side that lost the first ODI in Gqeberha on Wednesday. The former India international wants Singh to bat at number eight and Avesh Khan to replace Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the third seamer.

“If you have to make a change, I would bring in Ramandeep Singh at number eight,” Uthhappa said on ESPNCricinfo. “He can bowl a couple of overs, he is a genuine all-rounder, he can bat and he is a very good fielder.”

Uthhappa said that as India prepare for the second ODI, it was important to not tinker much with the top order given the in-form nature of the top three batters.

“I would not change anything in the top three because they are in very good form. They have been scoring runs consistently,” Uthhappa said. “The change I would make is at number eight. I would bring in Ramandeep Singh and Avesh Khan for Bhuvneshwar Kumar.”

India will be looking to level the three-match series when they take on South Africa in the second ODI at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday.