Former India batsman Robin Uthappa revealed the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) management and captain MS Dhoni had communicated with him regarding the lack of chances to get into their first preferred playing XI. Uthappa was traded by CSK from Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021).
CSK went ahead with their opening pair of Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Uthappa had to sit out for the first seven matches of IPL 2021's first phase in India. There are chances that CSK might try him for the opening spot with the fitness concern of Du Plessis, who is currently the franchise's highest run-getter.
"He (MS Dhoni) welcomed me 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," 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 performance 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 added.
Uthappa appreciated CSK for clear communication with players regarding their roles and expectations with them in the squad. "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," said Uthappa.
In the 5 T20 innings this year, the 35-year-old has scored 161 runs with a strike rate of 140 and an average of 32.20. His highest score of 91 runs came in the Elite Group E match of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Trophy 2021 match between Kerala and Delhi.
(With 22 Yarns Podcast Inputs)
