‘There is a sense of security and inclusiveness’ – Robin Uthappa gives insight into the team culture of the Chennai franchise in the Indian T20 League
In the Indian T20 League, the Chennai franchise and the Mumbai franchise have been the two most successful sides in the greatest T20 league on planet earth. Mumbai have won five titles and Chennai have won four titles. Chennai have been very successful and made the playoffs more often than not.
The Chennai franchise have had a history of backing players to the hilt and being persistent with them even at the hardest of times. An example of the same could be Suresh Raina in 2021 where he was given a long rope despite failing to deliver and having short ball problems. Only towards the fag end of the tournament, Chennai replaced Raina with Robin Uthappa.
Uthappa represented Chennai before he called it quits from the game and also, has been a part of the Kolkata franchise in 2012 and 2014 when they won titles. He recounted how Yusuf Pathan was backed by Gautam Gambhir and Shane Watson by MS Dhoni in 2019 when he went through a slump in form which helped the side at a later stage.
Chennai persisted with Watson, and he won the finals in 2018- Robin Uthappa
“In 2014, Yusuf didn’t do well in the group stage. In the knockout match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, we had to chase 150+ (161) in 15 odd overs to qualify, and he took us to 70 odd with a fifty in 15 balls. CSK persisted with (Shane) Watson in 2018; he won them the finals,” The former India cricketer said on Jio Cinema in an interaction.
The former Chennai star talked about the family-style culture in the MS Dhoni-led side.
“When we travelled with kids, nannies were there who were made to feel like they were part of the group. When we won in 2021, the nannies were part of the team picture,” Uthappa stated.
“The sense of security and inclusiveness that the players who aren’t in the playing XI had made it a great atmosphere. At no point, I felt left out. It is not easy to sit out for 12 games, especially after you have played 195 matches already,” Uthappa emphasised. Raina vouched for the same, he said, “They (Chennai) give a lot of bonuses, too. You always feel like doing something special for them; you felt like a pampered kid,” he said.
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