Foxes Sign Spinner Uttam Ramji For One Day Cup

Leicestershire CCC can today confirm the addition of exciting leg-spinner Uttam Ramji on a short-term contract.

The 18-year-old joins for the duration of the Metro Bank One Day Cup, linking up with the first team from the Club’s Pathway setup while fellow spinners Callum Parkinson and Rehan Ahmed are away at The Hundred.

India-born Ramji has progressed through the ranks since joining Leicestershire’s U15 setup during the 2020 season, and has taken 47 wickets at 31.06 for the U18s since his debut last summer.

He made his Second XI debut against Nottinghamshire in the Second Eleven Championship earlier this year, before showcasing his white-ball prowess in T20 cricket, earning his wickets at a cost of just 14.14.

Ramji was first spotted locally playing tape-ball cricket at Cossington Sports Centre and at U14 level for City Cricket Academy in Leicester, before he became part of the ‘Running Foxes Development Programme’ after impressing Foxes coaches Jigar Naik, Dips Patel and Rahim Ali.

The teenager has also tested his skills against some of the world’s best, spending the past three winters in his native India as a net bowler for IPL giant Rajasthan Royals, bowling to the likes of Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag.

After signing his short-term deal, Ramji told Foxes TV: “I can’t wait to get started and do well for the team. We’ve got a great squad, so hopefully we can challenge for the trophy.

“Net bowling with the first team and getting my chance in second team cricket has been a great experience and has helped me gain a lot of confidence which I can take into the One Day Cup.

“Rehan (Ahmed) has helped me a lot. He’s always backing me with whatever advice I need, so I speak to him almost every day.”

Second XI Head Coach, Dips Patel, added: “I’ve always been impressed with Uttam’s skill, which is very natural.

“He had natural pace, knowledge of leg-spin bowling and his variations are fantastic. Those things will stand him in good stead as he continues to develop his consistency.

“Uttam’s’ hunger for the game and how he always wants to get better is infectious. He just needed backing and that’s what we’ve given him.”

Head of Talent Pathway, Jigar Naik, said: “It’s fantastic to see one of our youngsters be rewarded with a chance in first team cricket. Uttam’s commitment to his own development is testament to himself and this deal shows what can be achieved.

“All of our coaches have been thoroughly with his progress. We wish him for the best for the upcoming campaign and look forward to helping him develop his game further in the coming years.”

To see Uttam in action for the Foxes during the Metro Bank One Day Cup, click HERE.