Robin Uthappa will be good to go in the next game: Piyush Chawla

Robin Uthappa, the Kolkata Knight Riders wicketkeeper-batsman, has missed two games due to a hamstring injury. Uthappa has been in terrific form this season scoring 384 runs in 9 innings at a strike rate of 170.66. He is crucial to KKR’s chances of lifting the IPL for a record third time. Though the Knight Riders have lost four games this year, they look a supreme side when they play to their full potential.

The balance of their side is terrific with each player aware of their roles. Saurashtra wicketkeeper-batsman Sheldon Jackson has filled in for Uthappa behind the stumps and has done a fair job as well. Speaking at the post-match media interaction, Piyush Chawla hinted that Uthappa is likely to start in KKR’s next game against Kings XI Punjab on Tuesday.

“Today he was doing his fitness and all. So, hopefully, he will be good to go in the next game. Hope for the best,” Chawla said at the post-match media interaction.

A fit again Uthappa is critical for KKR’s success in the next two weeks. The team management should not rush his comeback for it might lead to a severe injury.

KKR have more or less sealed their spot for the playoffs after their comprehensive win against RCB on Sunday. Chasing 159, Kolkata got home in a canter, knocking the runs off in 15.1 overs. The chief architects of the win were Chris Lynn, who was returning from an injury after a four-week layoff, and Sunil Narine. Both added 105 runs in the first six overs to end RCB’s hopes of coming back in the game. It was power-hitting at its best as the crowd at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium were treated with entertainment on a Sunday afternoon.

Chawla also praised the duo. “The way they batted, it was brilliant. In the first six overs, the game was taken away from RCB. The best part of their innings was that they backed themselves. If you see their whole innings, there was no cross-batted shots… they played all cricketing shots,” he said.

With Chris Lynn back in the playing XI and Uthappa likely to start the next game, KKR are now looking an unbeatable team. Gambhir has led his team exceptionally well this year which has established his side as a hot favourite to win the IPL this year.