"The country comes ahead of your franchise players" - Robin Uthappa on CSK helping Rachin Ravindra before IND vs NZ 2024 Test series

Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa recently commented on New Zealand's top order batter Rachin Ravindra's practice stint at the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) academy ahead of the side's three-match Test series in India. He opined that the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises should prioritize the country over their players.

Uthappa pointed out that the Chennai-based franchise has always extended unwavering support to their players. He, however, reckoned that CSK should have avoided doing so for Ravindra, given that he was set to compete against India.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel with his name, Uthappa remarked (from 2:26):

"Rachin Ravindra came here and practiced at the CSK Academy. CSK is a beautiful franchise that will always look after its franchise players but a line has to be drawn where the interest of the country comes ahead of your franchise players, especially when he is a foreign player and comes and plays against our country."

"I am not surprised that CSK always go over and above for their players but somewhere in that kindness, maybe I am not saying the right thing, I absolutely love CSK, but when it comes to the country, there should be a line somewhere where we do not cross that line," he added.

It is worth mentioning that Rachin Ravindra worked hard at the CSK academy ahead of the recently concluded Test series. He batted on red-soil and black-soil wickets to gear up for the tough assignment.

Ravindra was one of the standout performers for the Blackcaps in their historic Test series victory on Indian soil. New Zealand became the first team to whitewash India at home in a three-match Test series.

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"One of the best knocks by an overseas player" - Robin Uthappa on Rachin Ravindra's century in Bengaluru Test

Rachin Ravindra kicked off New Zealand's tour of India with an authoritative century in the Test series opener in Bengaluru. The southpaw stole the show with a gutsy 134-run knock in the first innings.

Robin Uthappa suggested that Ravindra's knock was probably one of the best by an overseas batter in Indian conditions. Indicating that the youngster benefited immensely by training at the CSK academy, the cricketer-turned-expert said in the aforementioned video (3:49):

"On the basis of that preparation, Rachin Ravindra batter brilliantly. One of the best knocks by an overseas player. On that wicket, 134 off 157 balls, it was solid batting. He then showed that he is the future of New Zealand cricket."

Ravindra amassed 256 runs across six innings at an average of 51.20 in the Test series against India. He was his team's leading run-getter on the tour, and the second-highest overall behind Rishabh Pant (261 runs).