IPL 2021: I would like to play as an opener – Robin Uthappa

India’s veteran batsman Robin Uthappa has revealed that he will like to play as an opener for Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. Uthappa feels that people have tried to use him in a position where he is not good at.

The flamboyant batsman was asked to bat in the middle order for Rajasthan Royals in the previous season but he wasn’t able to deliver the goods. Uthappa had also got a couple of innings as an opener and had done well in them. The right-hander could only muster 196 runs in 12 matches of IPL 2020 at an average of 16.33 and 119.51.

In fact, Uthappa had savoured great success for Kolkata Knight Riders when he opened the innings with skipper Gautam Gambhir. Uthappa has scored 4607 runs in 189 IPL matches at an average of 27.92 and a strike rate of 129.99. The batsman from Karnataka has done well whenever he has opened the innings in the IPL.

“I would definitely like to play as an opener. It is where I naturally thrive. Getting the team off to a good start and winning matches for the team is what I am most comfortable doing. In the last few years, people have tried to use me in positions that I am not necessarily good at. It is probably why you have seen a dip in performance. But whenever I have opened the batting, I have done really well,” said Robin Uthappa while talking to Times of India.

Uthappa has scored 2057 runs at an average of 27.43 while playing as an opener in the IPL. The stylish batsman has also done well while batting at number three as he has scored 1425 runs at an impressive average of 32.39. However, he averages only 17.44 while batting at number five in the tournament.

On the other hand, Uthappa has been in top form in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy while playing for Kerala. The right-hander scored 377 runs in six matches at a splendid average of 75.40 and a blistering strike rate of 131.82. Thus, Uthappa will look to continue the good show in the upcoming IPL.

Uthappa is also looking forward to playing under the leadership of MS Dhoni. CSK will begin their IPL 2021 campaign against Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 10th April.