IPL 2020: Flop XI of the first two weeks

3. Robin Uthappa (RR)

One of the most seasoned domestic IPL campaigners, Robin Uthappa, arrived fresh onto the Rajasthan Royals (RR) pink brigade this year after the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) let go of him. The Knight Riders’ problem of plenty with openers had relegated the elegant Karnataka opener to a middle-order better- a role that he did not have much success with. 

But the new-look, sans-Ajinkya Rahane Rajasthan team promised Robbie a return to his desired batting position. Fans were eager to see Robbie partnering the likes of Jos Buttler, Yashaswi Jaiswal or Sanju Samson at the top and repeat his orange-cap-winning heroics from the 2014 season. 

Things, however, haven’t quite worked out in that manner, as RR seem to have settled on Buttler and captain Steve Smith as their openers. Consequently, Robin has been shifted down the batting order once more, and the demotion has only deteriorated his performances. Across his four outings, Robin has been able to score only 33-runs at a disappointing strike rate of 78.57.

The lack of experienced middle-order batsmen in the team could allow for Robbie to get a longer rope. But should RR decide on giving their young Indian batsmen a look ahead, his omission, at this point, seems almost inevitable.