Earlier this month, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa criticized the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for allowing Rachin Ravindra to practice in their academy in Chennai ahead of Test series against India.
Notably, Ravindra went to the CSK academy ahead of their one-off Test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida to prepare and acclimate to Indian conditions. This preparation also helped him in the three-Test series against India.
The southpaw smashed 134 and 39* in the first Test in Bengaluru, helping the Kiwis win their first Test in India since 1988.
While receiving the Player-of-the-Match award, Ravindra revealed how his preparations in Chennai helped him with his batting, prompting Uthappa to suggest that a line has to be drawn as the country always comes ahead of the franchise.
On Thursday (November 28), Uthappa clarified his stance on this matter after Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced that seven promising young West Indian cricketers will undergo an intense two-week specialised training camp from December 1 at the Chennai Super Kings Academy.
Taking to social media platform X, Uthappa said he is not against the youngsters getting an exposure by having such preparation camps in a foreign country. Instead, he wants the same to be avoided for any international cricketer right before a home series.
“I’m not against this completely. I believe people should improve and do everything to do so. For instance in this case I support it. Youngsters should be given the opportunity to have exposure to what they could possibly experience in a foreign country in the future,” Uthappa wrote.
“I’d love to know and understand what the general consensus is about this from the people. See I don’t mind this if it’s being paid for by the WI board or whoever is sending em. There has be some form of exchange where both parties benefit from this. I’m not against,” he added.
“My only point of contention is that such preparation camps should be avoided for any international cricketer just before a home series. That all! I rest my case,” he further remarked.
The young cricketers from the Caribbean will depart for India on November 29. Among the selected players are three contracted franchise players — Kirk McKenzie, Matthew Nandu, and Kevin Wickham — along with current and former West Indies Academy players Teddy Bishop and Jewel Andrew, and former West Indies Under-19 players Jordan Johnson and Ackeem Auguste.
Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, said: “The Chennai Academy will host these seven batsmen and aim to equip them with skills and experience in navigating spinning conditions.
“Our coaches will be on hand to ensure that the learnings in the period can be consolidated and extended to other players in the region through the academy.”
The players will engage in a two-day match and three white-ball fixtures as part of their training at the CSK Academy. They will work alongside experienced coaches, including CSK Academy Director Sriram Krishnamurthy.
(With PTI Inputs)
