Robin Uthappa not to don the gloves for KKR this season

It has been quite a while since Robin Uthappa donned the gloves for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Of course, he isn’t your archetypical wicketkeeper, but the demands of the game and the batting ability of a non-specialist keeper ensured that the 32-year old did indeed pick up the skillset of wicketkeeping. However, in the context of the upcoming season, Uthappa will not be donning the gloves, something that will be slightly different for the old statesman, so to speak.

Speaking in a press conference prior to the start of the Knight Riders’ IPL campaign, Uthappa said that he would be giving up the gloves in the wake of the signing of Dinesh Karthik. The latter will also be serving as the captain for the Kolkata-based side in the upcoming season as well.

‘He’s a Test keeper and I only keep in the IPL, just that would answer your question. I think DK will keep and I’ll go back to you know, dropping my hat to you guys after taking a catch.’

Gambhir – A hard act to follow

While the KKR management and Venky Mysore seem to be rather pleased with the appointment of the 32-year old Karthik, the fact that the 36-year old Gautam Gambhir will not be a part of the dressing room scene is certainly something that will add an air of strangeness to the setting. Gambhir, who captained the Knight Riders, for the most part, has now been roped in by his first franchise – Delhi Daredevils.

While there will certainly be pressure on Karthik to lead the side effects, much remains to be seen whether he can indeed make his comeback to Indian cricket in the grand scheme of things.

Here’s a look at Kolkata Knight Riders’ full squad

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