Former KKR captain Gautam Gambhir has reckoned that time is ticking up for out of form Rajasthan Royals batsmen Robin Uthappa and Riyan Parag and they need to deliver for their team now.
Rajasthan Royals batsman Robin Uthappa is going through a lean patch in IPL 2020 (BCCI Image)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Gautam Gambhir said that Robin Uthappa will have to deliver on the expectations team have from him
- Gautam Gambhir said that RR’ team combination will change when Ben Stokes comes
- RR are heavily dependent on Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler and Steve Smith
Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Gautam Gambhir has expressed concerned over the current batting form of Rajasthan Royals (RR) batsmen Robin Uthappa and Riyan Parag, saying that time is running out for them.
Gambhir, who has two IPL titles to his name as a captain, said that Uthappa was expected to play the finishers role for Rajasthan Royals but he has failed to even provide momentum in the middle order. The former India opener asserted that Robin Uthappa will have to deliver on those expectations as there are other players waiting for their turn and also RR’s team combination will change once Ben Stokes comes in the picture.
“Time’s running out for both Robin Uthappa and Riyan Parag. Uthappa has not looked in any kind of form, to be honest. Robin Uthappa has to deliver. There were a lot of expectations that Robin will be able to finish off games, and if not that, at least give them the momentum they need in the middle order.
“So, Robin needs to deliver on those expectations. Riyan Parag has not looked in any kind of form either. So, obviously, they have guys sitting on the bench, plus when Ben Stokes shows in, the combination will be completely different,” Gambhir told ESPN Cricinfo.
Notably, Robin Uthappa, who was bought for Rs 3 crore in IPL 2020 auction, in his last 4 innings has scored 17, 2, 9 and 5 runs, respectively. Rajasthan Royal have lost their last 2 matches and will be hoping Uthappa to come back to form soon.