Whether Rickelton will truly become the next Amla is still too early to say. However, in the stadium of Karachi, he has proudly waved the South African flag.
He has laid the foundation for a big total for the Proteas. And once again, Ryan Rickelton has shown that the legacy of Hashim Amla’s batting philosophy is in safe hands.
In South African cricket circles, there is a common saying—that Ryan Rickelton’s batting carries the shadow of Hashim Amla. Is this just a myth, or is there truth to it? On a scorching afternoon in Karachi, on the stage of the Champions Trophy against Afghanistan, Rickelton’s innings seemed to answer that question. His patience in ODI cricket, elegant shot selection, and composed batting structure—everything about his innings reflected a mirror image of Hashim Amla.
And why wouldn’t it? After all, Rickelton’s mentor is Hashim Amla himself. From a young age, the South African wicketkeeper-batsman has followed Amla, learned from him, and spent time under his guidance. And this innings felt like it was crafted straight from Amla’s template! His batting style, shot selection, and bat follow-through—all were as measured and well-planned as Amla’s.
In his innings of 103 runs off 106 balls, he struck seven fours and one six. However, rather than focusing on hitting boundaries, he prioritized singles and doubles. Using the pace of the ball, finding gaps between fielders, and playing with a calm mind—these were signature traits of Amla’s batting. Rickelton followed that very path. He also displayed great skill against spin, handling the Afghan spinners with remarkable composure.
Yes, Rickelton may not yet be as refined or artistic a batsman as Amla. However, the patience and textbook-perfect shot-making he displayed in his innings undoubtedly make South Africa hopeful for the future. Amla holds an immense place in South African batting history. Having a batsman like him is a blessing for any team.
Whether Rickelton will truly become Amla remains to be seen. But in Karachi, he has already hoisted the South African flag high. He has built the foundation for a formidable total for the Proteas. And once again, he has proven that the legacy of Hashim Amla’s batting philosophy is in the right hands.
