After being brought in from the Rajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL 2021 season, Chennai Super Kings batter Robin Uthappa recently opened up about his initial conversation with MS Dhoni last year. 

Last season, Uthappa only appeared in four games near the finish of the tournament after being benched throughout the first half. He made an immediate impression with 115 runs in four games and a useful 43-ball 64 against Delhi Capitals in the qualifier one.

Uthappa was bought back by the Chennai Super Kings for his base price of INR 2 crores in the mega auction 2022, and he batted at number three in the opening game, striking a 21-ball 28 in a low-scoring game. 

After moving to the top of the order, he continued his fine form with a half-century in the next game and 13 in the third game against Punjab Kings. As he recalls the moments when he arrived at CSK setup, the veteran hitter has been one of the few bright spots for CSK this season.

Uthappa said he appreciated Dhoni's honesty in telling him that the 36-year-old would not be able to immediately join the CSK playing XI and will have to wait and see how the tournament develops. He went on to say that the CSK coaching staff took great care of him and that they kept him in a positive mindset even when he wasn't playing.

In a conversation with Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel, Uthappa confessed that he liked how Dhoni told him on Day 1 of his time at CSK that he will not be given any easy chances and will not get to waltz his way into the Playing XI. He said that the team will have to wait and have to see how their season progresses and if an opportunity arises, he will be informed and expected to step up. 

Commending the coaching staff, Uthappa also said that the people around the players were very sensitive to the psyche of the players and knew how important it was to keep checking up on the athletes, even the ones on the bench.

View the full article