Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has criticized Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for allowing New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra to train at their academy in Chennai before a Test series against India. Ravindra had also practiced at the CSK academy ahead of New Zealand’s one-off Test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida, helping him adjust to Indian conditions.
This preparation paid off for the 24-year-old as he delivered an outstanding performance. In the first Test match in Bengaluru Rachin scored a superb 134 off 157 balls. He followed it with an unbeaten 39* in the second innings, guiding New Zealand to a successful chase of 107 runs and marking New Zealand’s first Test win in India in 36 years. His efforts earned him the Player of the Match award. During the award ceremony, Ravindra acknowledged that his practice sessions in Chennai significantly improved his batting.
“CSK is a wonderful franchise…but there needs to be a line”: Robin Uthappa
Uthappa, who played for CSK in 2021 and 2022, recently criticized this move on his YouTube channel. He emphasized that while CSK is known for supporting its players, a boundary should be maintained when prioritizing the country over franchise interests, especially when helping a foreign player.
“CSK is a wonderful franchise that cares deeply for its players, but there needs to be a line where the interest of the country takes precedence over franchise matters, especially when a foreign player is involved who could play against India,” Uthappa stated. He added that CSK often goes above and beyond for their players. However, there should be limits when national interests are at stake.
Uthappa praised Ravindra’s brilliant century, describing it as one of the finest innings by an overseas player on Indian soil. He highlighted the significance of Ravindra’s 134-run knock on a challenging pitch, showcasing the young player’s solid skills. Uthappa also noted that Ravindra’s performance demonstrated that he is a promising talent for New Zealand.
CSK’s star batter Rachin Ravindra continued his strong form by scoring 65 in the first innings of the second Test in Pune. Throughout the series, he scored 256 runs in six innings, averaging 51.20. He also played a key role in New Zealand’s historic 3-0 series whitewash over India.
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