IPL 2021: Gautam Gambhir Picks Robin Uthappa Over Suresh Raina For The Qualifier Match Against DC

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir believes that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) should pick Robin Uthappa over Suresh Raina for the Qualifier 1 match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 against Delhi Capitals (DC).

Suresh Raina who is regarded as one of the most successful batsmen in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) started his IPL 2021 campaign by scoring a fifty. However, other than that he has failed to deliver a good performance for Chennai with the bat. Adding to it, in the UAE leg of IPL 2021, he has scored 4, 17*, 11, 2 and 3 in five matches.

Notably, Raina was dropped from the playing XI after some back issue and veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Robin Uthappa replaced him in the lineup. However, Uthappa was also unable to perform well for Chennai Super Kings in the middle order, in the two matches so far he has managed to score only 21 runs.

Speaking on this matter on ESPNCricinfo, Gautam Gambhir asserted:

“Uthappa. Although he hasn’t grabbed his opportunities, I still believe you got to persist with Robin Uthappa and he will come good.”

Meanwhile, former New Zealand cricketer Daniel Vettori feels that Suresh Raina should be included in the game against Delhi Capitals (DC) as he is a big match player.

“I will always go to Raina. I think he is that sort of player who is used to these situations and big games and could come off in the pivotal moment,” Vettori said.

CSK Should Keep One Over Of Josh Hazlewood At The Death – Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir was questioned whether Josh Hazlewood should finish his overs early on in the innings to which former Indian opener disagreed and said CSK should keep one of Hazlewood for the lower order batting unit of Delhi Capitals (DC).

“No, they need someone in the death otherwise they become one-dimensional. They should keep one over of Josh Hazlewood against Delhi Capitals batting which has Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin batting at No.6 and 7,” Gautam Gambhir stated.

However, Daniel Vettori opined that CSK already has a lot of death bowlers in the team and they can use Hazlewood early on in the innings. He said:

“They have enough options with Thakur, Bravo and Chahar. So, CSK can use Hazlewood as an attacking option,”

Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will lock horns with Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Qualifier 1 match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 on October 10 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

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