I am the opener India is looking for - Robin Uthappa

Robin Uthappa

Indian cricket outcast Robin Uthappa, who is playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in the current season of the IPL, believes that he can perform for the national team in the same way he has been performing for his IPL franchise this year. With 382 runs this season, the 28-year-old is the highest run scorer for his IPL team and stands third in the list of contenders for the Orange Cap in IPL 2014.

“I have definitely missed contributing to the success of our team in the last few years,” he was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

The immensely talented Karnataka opener hasn’t been in the national radar for quiet sometime now. Hoping to make his return after his match winning performances for the Knight Riders, Uthappa said, “As far as the hunger is concerned, I believe my performances are speaking on my behalf. And I do believe that I am the opening batsman that the team is looking for and am confident that I am going to contribute a lot to the country’s success in the future.”

He had previously credited former Indian player Pravin Amre for helping him fine-tune his technique. The improvement has reflected in his footwork and shot selection in the last couple of years.

He last played for India in an One Day International in July 2008, against Sri Lanka. Although he was called back to the T20 squad in 2012 for a match against South Africa, with the subsequent rise of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, he continues to remain out of favour.