"I was completely into depression"- Robin Uthappa recalls his stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore

Stylish Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batsman Robin Uthappa has opened up about his ordeal while representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) during the second season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) back in 2009.

Uthappa, who represented the Mumbai Indians in the inaugural season, was transferred to the Royal Challengers before the 2009 season in South Africa.

The Karnataka cricketer had a decent stint for MI, where he scored 320 runs in 14 innings at an average of 35.55 and a strike rate of 114.69. 

However, he struggled during his maiden season for RCB, managing just 175 runs across 14 innings at an average of 15.90 and a strike rate of 102.94 with just a solitary 50+ score.

Speaking to legendary off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel, Uthappa revealed that he was going through depression at the time due to personal issues.

"I was going through something in my personal life and during my first season with RCB," the Kerela star stated. 

"I didn't play well even for one game that season. The only game in which I did well was when I was dropped and picked again. I played thinking that I really needed to do something in this match," he added.

Uthappa was one of the first few players to be transferred from one franchise to another. Naturally, it wasn't a desirable scenario for the swashbuckler. Therefore, Robbie had no choice but to accept it. MI  specifically intimated that he would have to warm the bench for the entire season if he didn't sign the transfer papers.

"I was one of the first people to be transferred in IPL. For me, it became extremely difficult because my loyalties were completely laid out with MI at that point. It happened a month before the IPL, and I refused to sign the transfer papers," the former India international concluded.

Uthappa bounced back brilliantly after a poor 2009 season as he smashed 374 runs in 14 innings at an average of 31.16 and a strike rate of 171.55.

He is currently plying his trade for defending champions CSK, having played a stellar role in their title-winning campaign last season.