Uthappa has been out of the Indian team since 2015.
Former India captain MS Dhoni's retirement and his international future with the Indian Cricket Team remains a hot topic of discussion among the cricket fraternity.
With the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman taking a sabbatical from the game since India’s World Cup campaign last year following a semi-final defeat to New Zealand, the speculation continues whether Dhoni would return to the national duty, or if Dhoni is going to retire.
Read Also: Dhoni is India’s best wicketkeeper; I would have him in the team: BCCI treasure
While the veteran cricketer remains silent on his future plans, some of the cricket experts have been debating on who could fill Dhoni’s shoes when he eventually retires and India batsman Robin Uthappa has now joined the debate by throwing a surprising name who can carry forward the former captain’s legacy as a finisher for the Indian cricket team.
As the Indian team management continues to find next Dhoni with Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul making rounds, Uthappa believes that his Rajasthan Royals (RR) teammate Riyan Parag can be a suitable finisher to fill the legendary cricketer’s boots.
The 18-year-old Assam born cricketer featured for RR at IPL 2019 and showed glimpses of brilliance with the bat on a couple of occasions and even etched his name in the history books by becoming the youngest player to score a fifty in the history of IPL.
Speaking in an interview with Cricfit, Uthappa has picked Parag as ‘next Dhoni’ for India as well as said he is confident that the young batsman will represent India for a very long time.
Uthappa said: “Currently, the young player which excites me out of my socks in Riyan Parag. I am extremely excited and he is the one to watch out for.
I think he is someone who is looked after well and dealt well and nurtured well and will represent India for a very long time. He could be India’s answer to the next MS Dhoni.”
Noteworthy, Steve Smith, RR's captain, was also in awe of Parag and said the Assam lad has a great future ahead. He had said: “Parag was really impressive; I have been watching him in the nets and with the bat looks like a seasoned campaigner.”
Smith added, “He’s a great kid and has a great future, I hope I was as confident when I was 17. When you are young and come into a team you have a carefree attitude and kept playing his shot.”