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Robin Uthappa admits his criticism of Virat Kohli over Ambati Rayudu’s 2029 World Cup omission hurt their relationship.
Virat Kohli (L) and Robin Uthappa (R)
Former India batter Robin Uthappa recently opened up about his fallout with Virat Kohli following his remarks about the former Indian captain in an interview. Uthappa has admitted that his comments on Kohli have ‘impacted’ their relationship.
During the interview, which came out on YouTube in January 2025, Uthappa criticised Kohli’s way of handling Ambati Rayudu during the ICC ODI World Cup 2029. The former said that Rayudu was controversially left out and was replaced by all-rounder Vijay Shankar, whose ‘3D’ qualities were cited as the prime reason behind his selection.
The critical assessment drew public attention as the clip from the original interview went viral on social media.
Uthappa, in his latest YouTube video, stated that his remarks negatively impacted his bonding with Kohli.
“In that whole conversation, the intent was not to speak about Virat. That interview was meant to be about me. I was asked a question which I spoke to. I didn’t take into consideration at that point the sentiments of Virat,” Uthappa said on his YouTube channel.
“My relationship or my camaraderie with Virat was impacted by that. My learning from that was, when I spoke to him about it, I acknowledged that I should have spoken to him before, even if it was what I believed.”
He further clarified that his remarks were not directed at Kohli as an individual but at the broader leadership style he observed.
“I didn’t speak about my experience with Virat. I spoke about what I saw one of my closest friends experience under his leadership. Everyone is entitled to their own style of leadership, and everyone is entitled to have their opinion. But I should have spoken to him about it before I spoke on national television. That was my learning,” he said.
Uthappa’s original comments were blunt. He claimed Kohli could be a “cut-throat” leader.
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“If he didn’t like anyone, they were cut. Rayudu is the prime example. He had World Cup clothes, kit bag, everything ready, thinking he would play. But you shut the door on him. That wasn’t fair,” Uthappa had said.
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had …Read More
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had … Read More
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