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Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Robin Uthappa has revealed that despite having a spectacular 2014 IPL season, he wanted to leave the franchise. That year, Uthappa was the highest run-scorer of the tournament, amassing 660 runs at an average of 44 across 16 innings to win the Orange Cap. He had been purchased by KKR for ₹5 crore after his previous team, Pune Warriors India, was terminated by the IPL governing council.
Why Robin Uthappa wanted KKR to release him after IPL 2014 title triumph?
Uthappa explained that he wanted to re-enter the auction to maximize his market value, as he felt he was in peak form and playing the best cricket of his career. His powerful opening partnership with then-KKR captain and current India head coach Gautam Gambhir was a key factor in KKR securing their second IPL title in 2014, following their first win in 2012.
“After Pune Warriors India, I went to KKR for Rs 5 crore. After my big year (with the bat), we won the IPL (2014) and I got the Orange Cap, I wanted to be released. I wanted to go back in the auction. I wanted to maximize the opportunity to earn more. To be honest, how much longer are you gonna play? Till 35, 36. And I was already 29 by then. So, I wanted to maximize my earnings,” Robin Uthappa disclosed on the ‘KimAppa’ show hosted by Jarrod Kimber on YouTube.
Uthappa had a significant and extended tenure with the Shah Rukh Khan-co-owned Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he played for another five years and made a lasting impact. The 39-year-old revealed that he had even approached KKR's leadership to be released into the player auction, but the franchise did not act on his request, underscoring his value to the team at the time.
Following his time with KKR, Uthappa's career path led him to the Rajasthan Royals, the inaugural IPL champions. His stint there was brief, lasting only a single season in which he participated in 12 matches. Later, he moved to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for two seasons. This move proved highly successful, as he made vital contributions during the latter half of CSK's 2021 season, playing a crucial role in their journey to clinch their fourth IPL title.
“I went and had a conversation with the leadership group at KKR. They denied and said we can’t let you go. We want you to play for us. We want you to play for us for a long time. And then I had a conversation with them and there was no way I could’ve earned more than Rs 5 crore based on the contract at that point. So I let it go. I just wanted to try and it was worth having a conversation,” Uthappa added.
Robin Uthappa enjoyed an extensive and remarkable career in the Indian Premier League (IPL) that spanned 15 years. Throughout this journey, he was a versatile player who represented six different franchises, with his final appearance in the league coming in the 2022 season for the Chennai Super Kings. Widely regarded as one of the tournament's greats, Uthappa's legacy is cemented by his impressive statistics. Over the course of 205 IPL matches, he accumulated a total of 4,952 runs. He maintained a solid average of 27.51 and an effective strike rate of 130.36. This remarkable consistency and longevity have secured his position as the 11th-highest run-scorer in the history of the IPL.
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