Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bought former India player Robin Uthappa before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 season in India earlier this year. CSK traded him from Rajasthan Royals after Shane Watson announced his retirement from all forms of cricket as well.
However, Robin Uthappa hasn’t made his debut for Chennai Super Kings as he warmed the bench in the first leg of the tournament in India. With Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad in sublime form, Uthappa had to wait for his chances for yellow as well. But, he might get the chance in the second phase of the season in the UAE considering Du Plessis’ injury. The league will begin on September 19 as well.
However, Uthappa has revealed that it was well communicated by the CSK franchise and the captain MS Dhoni that he would not get the chance of playing XI straight after being selected by the team. Uthappa revealed how Dhoni also shared with him that he had no say in his selection and didn’t want any credit or brickbats for favouring him as well.
“He (MS Dhoni) welcomed m,e and told me straight up ‘I had nothing to do with you being picked in the side. I don’t want anything to do with this because tomorrow I don’t want credit or brickbats for me favoring you,” Robin Uthappa said on the ’22 Yarns’ podcast with Gaurav Kapoor.
“So, I know for a fact that I was picked solely on my ability and performances in the previous season. The second thing he said to me ‘you’ll not walk into the first XI immediately. He said that we have had guys who have done well and we’ll see how things go and when we are closer to the tournament, I’ll know whether you are playing or not,” he further added.
“Communication has been so open” – Robin Uthappa
Adding further, Robin Uthappa stated that there has been open communication between the support staff and the players which makes the franchise one of the most successful in the competitions.
“What I love about this set-up is the communication has been so open. And I think that is so important for the success of a team. To be able to directly communicate to players as to what your expectations are. I think the success of a team is based on the energy driven by players who aren’t playing in the XI,” concluded Robin Uthappa.
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