During the IPL 2023 Qualifier 1 at Chepauk Stadium in Chennai, former Indian batsman Robin Uthappa was spotted supporting his former team, CSK. However, a cricket fan questioned his loyalty to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise, to which Uthappa responded with a firm reply.
Uthappa shared a picture on May 23, featuring himself and his son wearing yellow jerseys, showing their support for the Chennai Super Kings. He captioned the post, “Let’s go @ChennaiIPL!!”
A Twitter user raised doubts about Uthappa’s loyalty to KKR, stating, “Bro played one-two seasons with Chennai and sold his soul. I have never seen him supporting KKR like this.” Uthappa swiftly responded with a strong comeback, writing, “Loyalty and respect is a give and take, my friend!!”
Bro played one-two seasons with Chennai and sold his soul
I have never seen him supporting Kkr like this— Rajasthani Bateman (@rohit_san13) May 23, 2023
Loyalty and respect is a give and take my friend!!
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) May 23, 2023
It’s important to note that Uthappa has represented six franchises in the IPL, including the Kolkata Knight Riders. He played for KKR from 2014 to 2019 and was a key contributor to their triumph in the 2014 season when they clinched their second IPL title under Gautam Gambhir’s leadership.
Uthappa stands among the leading run-scorers in the history of the cash-rich league, accumulating 4,952 runs in 205 matches at a strike rate of 130.55, including 27 half-centuries. During KKR’s victorious campaign in 2014, he amassed 660 runs in 16 matches.
The treatment Uthappa received from KKR in the past might have hurt him, despite being a match-winner for the team. In the captaincy race for IPL 2018, Kolkata Knight Riders opted for Dinesh Karthik over Robin Uthappa and eventually released him in 2019.
Following his stint with KKR, Uthappa was bought by the Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2020 before being transferred to the Chennai Super Kings. He played for CSK in the subsequent two seasons before announcing his retirement. Uthappa was part of the CSK squad when they clinched their fourth IPL title in 2021.
Despite limited opportunities for CSK, Uthappa delivered some impressive performances. He scored 63 off 44 balls in the Qualifier 1 against Delhi Capitals and remained unbeaten on 31 off 15 in the IPL 2021 final, where CSK won by 27 runs.
After CSK’s victory over the Gujarat Titans, securing their spot in the IPL 2023 final, Uthappa tweeted, “What a roar @ChennaiIPL!! Top win to enter the finale! Amazing all-round performance from @imjadeja and a super start from the openers @Ruutu1331 and @D_Conway88!! @deepak_chahar9 and @maheesht61 just outstanding!! Don’t write off GT yet! They will come back stronger.”
What a roar @ChennaiIPL!! 🥳 Top win to enter the finale! 💛 Amazing all-round performance from @imjadeja & a super start from the openers @Ruutu1331 & @D_Conway88!! @deepak_chahar9 & @maheesht61 just outstanding!! Don’t write off GT yet! They will come back stronger💪🏾 #CSKvGT
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) May 23, 2023
