Thanks all for replying and sharing your thoughts.
The fact that I still will have problems in communicating with driver in case I dont know the local language is a good one, although in this specific case I can get by because I know some words and can use google translate at airport.
However, I am confused with suggestion to buy sim from airport or city that I am heading to. My Uber number is tied to my account and hence will remain my home city number. Are you guys switching your uber phone numbers when you arrive in a different country?.