Robin Uthappa will play for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. They traded him for INR 3 crore from Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the auction.

Uthappa opened up about the trade and the opportunity to play for CSK in an interview with ESPNCricinfo. He revealed Dhoni had called him after the trade and said it was a decision by the team's leadership group.

“He, in fact, called me. He said, ‘I want you to know that I didn't make the decision about you coming in here. It was actually the decision of the leadership group, which involved the coaches and the CEO.’

“He also said - and that's what I love about him – ‘I didn't want anyone to think that I was the one picking you. I wanted you to get into the team with your own ability and with your own skill. And when it came to me, I said, please ask everybody else in making the decision about you. Because anyone might feel 'because MS is there, Robin got here',” Uthappa told Cricinfo.

ALSO READ: IPL 2021: WATCH- MS Dhoni unveils new CSK jersey with camouflage design for IPL 14

“It is amazing, right, when there is that level of honesty. I truly appreciate that. For me, I know that I have gotten there by my own skill, by my own credibility. That is what I love about MS. You want to play for a leader like that, who gives you that confidence that, "Hey, you have come in here by your own credibility. I've done nothing,” he added.

The 35-year-old wants to open for CSK and win them matches in the upcoming season. Uthappa said the opening slot is best suited for him, although he is willing to accept the challenge to bat in the middle-order if needed.

“Oh yeah, absolutely. That's where I know my stuff. I know how to get the team off to a good start, I know how to win games from that place. It comes very naturally to me. It is something that I've done my entire career.

"I have been open to taking up the challenge of batting in the middle order, but it is not something that comes naturally to me. It is not something that is comfortable,” Uthappa, who scored 196 runs in 12 matches for the Royals last season, said.

(With ESPNCricinfo Inputs)