Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa has made a shocking claim about the 'Mr Fix-it' controversy that rocked Indian cricket during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ahead of the final Test against Sydney in Australia, news emerged that a senior player was trying to pose as the interim captain.
Virat Kohli was seen as a suspect in the whole controversy as the Indian Express report claimed that a 'Mr Fix-it' was trying to take over the reigns of the Indian team following Rohit Sharma's poor form with the bat.
Uthappa believes that Kohli or KL Rahul can be the suspects in this unfortunate controversy. Although he did not take the exact name, Uthappa slammed that player for trying to disturb the environment of the dressing room.
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Virat Kohli, KL Rahul picked as suspects by Robin Uthappa
While speaking to Lallantop, Robin Uthappa spoke about the whole 'Mr Fix-it' controversy and revealed his own methods when in the dressing room. He feels it is not fair to disturb a player in the middle of a series or tournament.
“I'm the type of person, if something happens, I mention it directly. In the team, I get to know people individually. But when there's a tournament, there's a tournament, I don't talk to any of them because every player has their own routine and mindset,” Uthappa said.
“At that time, it doesn't feel good to enter their space. So I don't talk to anyone during a tournament and I don't text anyone, whether they're playing well or bad. If they're playing bad, then I leave a message to motivate them .”
“If they've done well, made some records, then I congratulate them. But other than that, I don't interact. But in that, I don't know who Mr. Fix-it is. People say it's speculation. For me, in the Indian team there is no smoke without fire,” he added.
Who is 'Mr Fix it' according to Robin Uthappa?
When asked to identify the player, Robin Uthappa predicted that the player will be a senior one and specifically named Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. He slammed the player for trying to create differences during an important series.
“They are senior players. “It could be KL Rahul, Virat Kohli. We think Rahul is not a senior, he has been in the team for the last eight-nine years. In that sense, it is speculative. But there is another side to this,” observed the former India opener.
“But for me what do I care, the Indian team being perceived correctly. Especially during an important series. This is the most important series and during it, even if that happens, keep it in, why take it out? Families have differences at all times,” he added.
Rohit Sharma has opted out of the Sydney Test
India's regular captain Rohit Sharma endured poor form with the bat and scored just 31 runs in three Tests in the Test series against Australia at a miserable average of 6.20. Rohit sat out the last Test in Sydney due to his poor form.
Jasprit Bumrah led India in Sydney but could not prevent the team from losing the series 1-3 to hosts Australia. Bumrah was injured midway through the Sydney Test and Virat Kohli took over as India's captain.
While Rohit endured a poor run, Virat Kohli too had a disappointing run. Kohli has scored 190 runs in five Tests at an average of 23.75. Even when Rohit was the captain, Kohli was seen interacting with the players as the captain on numerous occasions.