Robin Uthappa announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Wednesday (September 14). Uthappa, who made his international debut in 2006, has put an end to his 16-year career.
Though the right-handed batter was no longer in the setup of the national team, he was still a prominent part of the IPL franchise CSK. He also played a crucial role in CSK’s IPL 2021 win, hitting 31 off just 15 balls in the finals. That knock released pressure in the middle overs and helped the Yellow Army a mammoth total.
With him announcing retirement, CSK will have to look at options to replace him in the side. In this article, we look at five names whom CSK can sign in the next auction to fulfill Robin Uthappa’s role:
1) Manish Pandey
Manish Pandey, who represented LSG last season, failed to put on a commendable show for his side. He managed to score only 88 runs in six innings at a poor strike-rate of just 110. Thus, the Lucknow franchise is likely to release him ahead of next season.
CSK, who will be looking to bolster their middle-order, can sign the right-handed batter at the next auction. It will help them solidify their batting line-up with the presence of a veteran batter.
2) Karun Nair
Karun Nair didn’t get enough chances in Rajasthan Royals last season due to the presence of Devdutt Padikkal and Yashasvi Jaiswal. He managed to accumulate only 18 runs in three games.
The 30-year-old batter has good numbers in the domestic circuit, but he is yet to get a long run in the lucrative league. CSK can rope him in to strengthen their middle-order after the exit of Robin Uthappa.
3) Dasun Shanaka
Another interesting name on the list is Dasun Shanaka, who impressed everyone in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2022. He has expertise in batting towards the business end of the innings. Moreover, he can also provide a couple of overs as a bowler.
CSK might be keen to land him at the Chepauk Stadium, given his experience and recent form. However, they might have to fight hard to get his signature as other teams would also be interested in the player.
