People should not write me off yet: Robin Uthappa

“Things never go the way you plan it. You always want things to be in a certain way, but life teaches you a lot about hardships, about destiny. I am a firm believer in destiny. I believe in miracles and magic. I believe that if you’re destined to be in a certain place and if you’re driven by that purpose and chase that dream, then destiny is right there waiting to take you where you want to be” – Robin Uthappa.

These are words which 26-year-old Uthappa reminds himself of every day. It’s been close to three years since the Kodava lad was left out of the Indian squad. After the 2008 Asia Cup, the aggressive young batsman who made a dream debut against England was dropped.

During the sixth NatWest One Day International, held at The Oval, one can recall how Uthappa won the match for his country with his unbeaten knock of 47 runs. His thundering knock had then proved to the world that he could be a match-winning batsman.

More than three years since that game, he tries desperately to come back into the team. Uthappa admits that the ‘trying times’ have changed him not just as a player but also as an individual. He insists that he is much more equipped to deal with a rough patch or even a great win.

In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda.com, he talks of his transformation as a player and about his chances of making it into the Indian squad again.

From being one of the highest paid IPL players to getting a chance to play for India again in the T20, this year has been quite eventful for you…

Yes, this year for me has been good. The way it started off and the culmination of events have been very positive. It all started off with the IPL auction and then I played some good knocks in the Ranji One-Dayers. After that I took a long and much-needed break from cricket and spent a lot of time with my family. Then came the Challengers Trophy which was good again and after that the T20 games for Karnataka was quite successful and I scored about 250-300 runs.

A chance to play again for India in the T20 was a one-off opportunity but it didn’t quite turn out the way I wanted it to. I think what’s happened now is that I understand myself better as a cricketer. I have more clarity in the way I play. My Ranji season too has been coming along well and with six games up I have about 400 runs which is good. So this year has been quite eventful for me.

Having played for India, it must be hard to keep yourself motivated to play at the domestic level?

Playing cricket is my job. It’s my profession and I enjoy it. I feel like a kid while batting and I love getting things going for my team. It gives me a high and it’s not difficult to keep myself motivated. I get to spend some time with my family as well and for the first time in nine years I will be celebrating Christmas and New Year Eve with my family and I am quite thrilled about it.

During the ODIs against West Indies, a commentator mentioned that you could have been considered for the One-Day squad especially since most of the seniors were rested. Your comments?

I am a positive person and I would like to believe that my turn will come again. Right now I know I am in the mix of things. I still have lots to do before I am done with my career and the Ranji Trophy is one title I’d like in my kitty before I quit so right now all my focus is on the tournament.

You are is still considered one of the most dangerous batsmen in the country. Cricket buffs still believe that your best is not behind you but yet, somehow, you are not able to bring about the required consistency in your batting…

I am a batsman who likes to dominate the bowling. I can’t be a perfect cricketer overnight. I’m progressing and people say you get better in the second half of your twenties and now that I am in the second half of my twenties I would like to believe that my best cricket is yet to come.

With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma pulling off some valuable performances, they have made it difficult for other middle order batsmen to break in. Do you think it’s harder to get into the team now?

Competition has always been there. I love opening and I know I am more effective as a top order batsman. I have made a compromise in T20 format but speaking of the One-Dayers, I see myself more on the lines of Viru (Virender Sehwag). I want to be someone who can change the game and as an opener, the chances of winning the game for the team is far more. People should not write me off as a cricketer. I know I need to bring in consistency in my scoring but at the same time a match-winning knock has more value. I need to focus on my shot selection and master myself as a player.

Ajinkya Rahane has already got an opportunity in the top order. Though you do keep wickets occasionally, if Dhoni is rested the immediate option would be Parthiv Patel. Who do you consider competition for your place?

Again, Ajinkya is more of a No.3 batsman and he plays well in that position. He is a good friend of mine and I respect him as a player. He takes the place of someone like Dravid in the batting order. I think I would consider Abhinav Mukund as a competition than Ajinkya. Parthiv, of course, has been doing exceedingly well. For the One-Dayers, he has been opening and I will be competing against him for a slot in the team. I think the advantage these two players have is that they are left-handers, while agression is my forte so it really depends on what the selectors are looking for.

The talk among scribes is that, though there are youngsters in Karnataka who are doing well and in line to make it to the Indian team, selectors may still want to persist with you…

Yes, actually Sri (Javagal Srinath) and Kumble too want me to play for India again we just have to wait and see when that will happen. They constantly keep telling me that my chance will come. Getting a call for the T20 was a bit of a surprise.

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