Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 winner Chennai Super Kings won their fourth trophy back in 2021 when they beat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final. However, in that match two years back, skipper MS Dhoni took the bold decision of playing Robin Uthappa instead of their star player Suresh Raina.
Uthappa joined CSK from the Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2021 and during the toss of a match against the Delhi Capitals (DC), Dhoni announced that Raina was injured. However, Raina never made it back into CSK's playing XI for the remainder of the season.
During a conversation with Robin Uthappa, Raina revealed that the decision to hand Uthappa the chance was a strategic move which had been taken after a discussion between Dhoni and himself.
"When MS Dhoni and I spoke, I suggested that 'you should try Robin Uthappa'. Dhoni sought my permission to play him, and I told him, 'he is the guy who will bring you the ultimate victory, trust me'," Raina shared with Uthappa on JioCinema.
Raina further added that being left out of the playing XI for CSK was not something the former India skipper usually did, but the left-handed batter convinced his captain by asserting that Uthappa deserved a place in the team.
"MS Dhoni said, 'We have played together since 2008, but I want to win this season. Now, you tell me what to do'. I replied, 'Play Robin at number 3 and ensure he remains in the playing XI until the final. If you win, CSK will win. Whether I play or him, Robin and Raina are the same'," added the revered CSK player.
Uthappa scored 115 runs in four matches during IPL 2021 with a healthy strike rate of 136.90. The Chennai-based franchise went on to lift the title after beating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 27 runs in the final.
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