Robin Uthappa Admits Mistake Over Controversial Statement on Virat Kohli, Says It Affected Their Relationship

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has openly admitted that his controversial remarks about Virat Kohli were a mistake. Uthappa revealed that his comments, made a few years ago, not only sparked debates in cricket circles but also strained his personal relationship with Kohli. He now believes that he should have spoken directly with Virat before expressing such views publicly.

The controversy: Uthappa’s statement about the 2019 World Cup

The controversy dates back to the 2019 ODI World Cup, when Ambati Rayudu was excluded from India’s squad despite being in contention until the very last moment. Speaking in an interview with The Lallantop, Uthappa had suggested that Kohli’s personal preferences influenced selection decisions.

Uthappa remarked that if Virat did not like a player, then that player had little chance of surviving in the team. He cited Ambati Rayudu as an example, explaining how the middle-order batter had prepared for the World Cup with full confidence, even packing his kit bag, only to be left out of the final squad. According to Uthappa, dropping Rayudu so close to the tournament was “unfair.”

The statement created a stir because it indirectly questioned Kohli’s leadership style and decision-making as captain.

Uthappa reflects on his mistake

Now, years later, Robin Uthappa admits that the way he handled the situation was wrong. In a recent interview, the former opener said that his bond with Virat Kohli was impacted by those comments.

“I realized that what I said back then did affect my relationship with Virat,” Uthappa admitted. “I saw what Ambati Rayudu was going through during the 2019 World Cup, and I reacted emotionally. But I never discussed it with Virat. I should have spoken to him directly rather than saying it on national television.”

He further added that captaincy comes with its own set of challenges, and every leader has a unique approach. “It wasn’t just about Virat’s leadership—it was about his captaincy style too. Everyone has their own way of handling things. I should have respected that instead of making a statement without discussing it with him first.”

Realization and regret

Uthappa emphasized that his regret is not just about the public fallout but also about the impact on his personal rapport with Kohli. “I think if I had spoken to Virat before making those comments, it would have been better for our relationship. Saying it on TV without giving him a chance to explain was not the right thing to do.”

Lessons from the episode

This admission from Robin Uthappa highlights how sensitive issues like team selection and leadership can affect both professional and personal relationships in cricket. Ambati Rayudu’s exclusion from the 2019 World Cup remains one of the most talked-about decisions in Indian cricket, but Uthappa now feels he could have handled his concerns in a more constructive way.

As the cricketing world looks back at this chapter, Uthappa’s realization serves as a reminder that public criticism of teammates, especially without prior discussion, can lead to unintended consequences. For Virat Kohli, who has been both praised and criticized for his aggressive captaincy, such incidents are part of a larger debate about leadership styles in Indian cricket.