Very hopeful to represent India again: Robin Uthappa

The Kolkata Knight Riders wicket-keeper batsman Robin Uthappa is having a merry time with the bat. He is among the top 10 run getters in the ongoing season of the IPL and was the second highest run-getter in the Ranji trophy league stages this season. With such tremendous run of form, the Karnataka batsman is hopeful to make a comeback to the Indian team soon.

In a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, Robin Uthappa spoke on his current form, the way he has adapted to the shortest format and a lot more. He said that a T20 century has eluded him and might well be around the corner.

“I believe it [a century] is right round the corner, simply because the last four years I have spent restructuring my game, and I think I have gradually improved every year,” quoted Uthappa.

Uthappa was all praise for his Kolkata Knight Riders coach Jacques Kallis and said the veteran South African knows everything about his game. He believes discussing his game with Kallis has helped him evolve better. “I have discussed a lot of my game with Jacques. He knows all my check points – head position, body weight, how stable I am while playing my shots, what are my strong positions, from where do I play my best shots – basically about weight transfer,” said the KKR opener.

“If someone like Jacques calls you one of the best batsmen technically in the country, man, that is huge,” he added further.

The Indian team for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour will be picked soon and Robbie is hopeful to make a comeback. He even cited that he has never got his chance to settle at one particular batting position. He believes that if he gets a fixed position, he will prove his consistency.

“I have never played in one batting position for India in more than three innings. Give me ten, seven, five games in one position. I promise you, you will not need to change me from there. The last time I played for India, in Zimbabwe [last July], I batted at Nos. 3 and 5 in the ODIs and No. 3 in T20Is,” said the right-handed batsman.

He further conceded that getting into the head of the selectors is certainly not in his hands. He pointed out that despite being second leading run-getter in Ranji league stages, he did not get picked for the Irani Trophy. However, he remained optimistic in saying he is still very hopeful and hungry to represent India.

“Karnataka did not qualify for the knockouts in the last Ranji Trophy, but I was the second highest run scorer in the league stages. [Still] I did not get picked for the Irani Trophy. For me, playing Test cricket for India is a goal, but if my performances are not going to be taken note of, then you start wondering where things are going wrong. You are left wondering where you are heading. You are not growing as a cricketer. I am still very hopeful and hungry to represent India,” conceded an optimistic Uthappa.

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