ROBIN UTHAPPA

Robin Uthappa was let go by the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise after almost a 5-year association with them, where he had won the tournament in 2014. The inability to attack from the go and poor outcome in the IPL 2019, where he failed with the bat, led to KKR releasing him.

Rajasthan Royals in a bid to add experience to their batting lineup bought 34-year-old Uthappa for INR 3 Cr. Based on his domestic form as well, this decision begged an explanation. On top of that, RR decided to use him as a finisher, while it was clear that his days of hitting big sixes were way behind him.

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He succeeded a bit when he was asked to open the batting with Ben Stokes, but still, the big sixes and fast scoring eluded him and it was evident that RR had erred in including him in the playing XI for the majority of the season.

In 12 matches, Uthappa made 196 runs at a strike-rate of 119.51 and averaged 16.33, hitting 7 sixes and 19 fours in total. Instead, the Rajasthan Royals should have shown faith in young Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top, who was discarded after just 3 games, which included an impressed knock of 34.

It will be highly unlikely that RR would retain him for IPL 2021 based on this performance, but given their track record, one cannot rule out anything.