IPL 2018: Robin Uthappa sheds light on the distinguished captaincy style of Gambhir and Karthik

KKR have won three out of their five matches in IPL 2018 thus far.

Uthappa scored 36-ball 48 against Rajasthan Royals last night | IANS

Robin Uthappa is playing IPL since its inception in 2008. The 32-year-old has played for Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Pune Warriors India in the past, but he has been a constant member of Kolkata Knight Riders side since 2014 to date.

Uthappa, who has played majority of his IPL career under the captaincy of Gautam Gambhir, was retained by KKR through RTM card for INR 6.40 crore during the auction in January. He is currently playing under the leadership of Dinesh Karthik and feels that the current KKR skipper is a very different personality as compared to Gambhir.

Uthappa though believes both have the qualities to lead a team in a highly competitive tournament like the Indian Premier League.

“Gauti and DK are very different personalities. DK is someone who thinks a lot, who likes a lot of information but at the same time he leaves enough room for instinct as a captain to be proactive and make decisions, which is wonderful,” Uthappa said according to Hindustan Times.

“Gauti has been more of an instinctive captain. He has been naturally very proactive as a captain. So both are very different personalities but still have the most important characteristics required as a captain in this format,” he added.

Uthappa top-scored with 36-ball 48 (6 fours and 2 sixes) as KKR breached Rajasthan Royals’ fortress in Jaipur with a thumping seven-wicket victory on Wednesday night.

Talking about his own batting form, Robin said: “I have been striking the ball pretty well. I had an off-colour domestic season but I never felt I was not hitting the ball well, it was just about the runs. I am happy to be continuing in the same vein, making a difference to the team but I still think it is early days and I need to keep getting better. I hope to get better with the matches happening now.”

Nitish Rana put on another magnificent all-round show last night to win his second consecutive Man of the Match for Kolkata Knight Riders and Uthappa was in all praise for the young left-hander.

“Nitish has a very firm head on his shoulders, reads the game very well and is also very confident. If he can continue performing in the way he has been over the last couple of seasons, he gives himself a good chance to grow as a cricketer,” Uthappa concluded.

As far as Kolkata Knight Riders’ overall showing in IPL 2018 is concerned – they have won three out of their five matches thus far and are currently leading the points table on account of superior run-rate. The Dinesh Karthik led side will now take on Kings XI Punjab in their next clash at the Eden Gardens on Saturday (April 21).

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 19 Apr, 2018

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