Include Robin Uthappa in place of out of form Suresh Raina – Shaun Pollock

Former South Africa pacer Shaun Pollock feels that Chennai Super Kings should include Robin Uthappa in place of Suresh Raina. Raina, who is the third-highest run-scorer in the history of IPL, has scored just 160 runs in 11 matches at an average of 17.77.

Despite his poor form, CSK have persisted with him. Robin Uthappa, who has scored 3544 runs in 189 IPL games, continues to warm the benches throughout the ongoing season of the league.

“I wonder if they will give Robin Uthappa a chance. CSK are a team that doesn’t like to make big changes. The longer it goes on, the more you feel they can’t make a change for the knockouts unless they make it sooner or later. I’m sure he will be keen to have a go. But if they keep winning, they will want everyone firing,” Pollock told Cricbuzz.

Raina hasn’t played competitive cricket before the 14th edition of the league. He retired from international cricket in 2020 and pulled out of the IPL as well. The rustiness has shown in this edition as Raina has been found wanting. “He hasn’t been able to find his touch. He looks like he might be carrying a bit of a niggle, he doesn’t look that pacey, that’s what we are so used to – brilliant fielding over the years, contributing with his off-spin and smashing the ball out of the ground; we haven’t seen that. No surprise that they promoted him to No.3; that was in a bid to get him some form under the belt,” Pollock added.

Chennai Super Kings have qualified for the playoffs but they need someone who can score runs.