IPL Auction 2020: 3 teams that could target Robin Uthappa this year
The Karnataka-born batsman Robin Uthappa has been a consistent performer in the IPL. He has come to be known for his ability to score quick runs at the top of the order, as well as to hold the innings together in case of a collapse.
Uthappa played a pivotal role in Kolkata Knight Riders' second title victory in 2014 when he won the Orange Cap by scoring 660 runs in 16 innings.
He was a part of the KKR franchise for five years till the 2019 edition. He remained consistent year after year and was an integral part of the batting line-up. However, his form kept diminishing as KKR opted to experiment with its opening pair and sending Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn up top.
Eventually KKR ran out of patience with Uthappa, who couldn't deliver as a number 3 / number 4 batsman. They released him ahead of the 2020 IPL Auction.
With 4,411 runs in the IPL, Uthappa stands as the 8th highest scorer in the league's history. He has a career strike rate of 130.50 with 24 fifties to his name. He also holds the record of most consecutive 40+ scores (11), which came in the 2014 edition.
Uthappa has played for the Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Pune Warriors India in the former editions as well. He heads into the 2020 auction as a veteran, and many franchises would be hoping to sign him to strengthen their top order for the upcoming season.
On that note, let's take a look at three teams that could target Uthappa in the auction.
#3 Kings XI Punjab
The Kings XI Punjab had started the 2019 season well, but crashed to the seventh spot by the end of the group stage. The over-reliance on the opening pair of Chris Gayle and KL Rahul hurt them badly, as the middle-order batsmen couldn't score enough runs for the side.
Gayle and Rahul smashed 1,083 runs combined as a pair, but the likes of Mandeep Singh, Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan and David Miller failed to contribute much. KXIP would be looking for an experienced batsman to strengthen their middle order.
The management could go for Uthappa in the auction, perhaps forming a new opening pair between him and Gayle. Rahul can then play at the No. 3 or No. 4 position, which could help KXIP avoid batting collapses in the middle overs.