A brave and vocal admirer of the concept of Indian cricketers participating in overseas T20 leagues, former India batter Robin Uthappa appears to have found his touch instantly in the first such opportunity for himself.
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Like all things in life, Uthappa had to sacrifice something in order to achieve another. Hence, he chose to retire from international cricket to be eligible for exploring opportunities outside of India.
Much like another recently retired Indian cricketer in Yusuf Pathan, Uthappa is among the two Indian cricketers to be playing the inaugural season of International League T20. Co-incidentally, both Pathan and Uthappa are representing Dubai Capitals in ILT20 2023.
While neither of the two ever represented Delhi Daredevils or Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League, they are currently plying their trade in the UAE for a team owned by the same owners.
Currently the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, Uthappa’s 122 runs in two innings have come at an average and strike rate of 61 and 154.43 respectively. Pathan, meanwhile, scored 6 (5) in his only innings thus far.
.@robbieuthappa poses with the DP World ILT20 green belt (highest run-getter to date) following his outstanding 79, which took him to the top of the run-getters list. #DPWorldILT20 #ALeagueApart pic.twitter.com/hEus5izVAs
— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) January 16, 2023
Uthappa, 37, is also keeping wickets for Capitals which further strengthens his position in the Playing XI. Although ILT20 doesn’t qualify to be a T20 tournament on paper, there is no hiding to the fact that a stellar season for Uthappa will bring him more T20 opportunities in the near future.
Will Robin Uthappa play IPL 2023?
Ninth-highest run-scorer in the history of the IPL, Uthappa has amassed 4,957 runs in 205 matches across 15 seasons at an average of 27.51 and a strike rate of 130.35 including 27 half-centuries. Having said that, with him having taken part in ILT20, Uthappa is no more permitted to partake in the IPL.
One of the eight cricketers released by Chennai Super Kings a couple of months ago in their preparation for IPL 2023 auction, Uthappa hadn’t put his name up for the auction ahead of the 16th season of the IPL.
