IPL 2016: Robin Uthappa believes a T20 century is just around the corner

Robin Uthappa has been a consistent opener for Kolkata Knight Riders over the past years since he signed for them in 2014. The wicket-keeper batsman has strengthened their top-order and provided them with good starts time and again, and was the Orange Cap winner in IPL 2014, with 660 runs.

Uthappa has opened the batting for the Knight Riders in 66 innings so far but has only managed a highest score of 83 not out in 2014. Considering his role in the team, and his consistency, he definitely has a lot of expectations to get the triple-figure score in the shortest format.

He has not been able to finish off his innings well, missing out on his hundred quite a few times with figures of 72, 80*, 83* and 75 in the past few seasons. Talking to ESPN Cricinfo he said, “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.

“People who know me [have noticed] how aggressively I used to play in the past, and now, with a proper technique, I have come really close to how dangerous I was in the past.

“To be aggressive, to be consistent, to be a game-changer, to be a match-winner, has been my focus over the last couple of years. To be the impact player for this side - and I am doing that to a certain extent. I don't think the hundred is too far away.”

As a senior member of the side, it has been his responsibility to set up good foundations for the team and try to bat through the innings. In the interview, Uthappa revealed that his role in the side has not changed much over the years and he has settled into the game very well.

“I have a lot of confidence in my skills. For me, right now, it is to repeat those things and align them with my role in the side and my goals.”

Jacque Kallis has helped me improve: Uthappa

The right-hander credited KKR’s batting consultant, Jacque Kallis for the turn-around in his batting approach, saying Kallis understands his game and strengths and helps him improve on them.

"If someone like Jacques calls you one of the best batsmen technically in the country, man, that is huge."

The 30-year-old also pointed out that one of the reasons he has not been able to deliver his best for India is because he has not batted in the same position for more than three innings. He guaranteed that if he got even five innings at the same position, he will make that position his own.

Uthappa has scored 4998 runs in T20 in 189 innings, averaging 29.57 and striking at 132.64. His highest score overall in T20 is 92, and he has 26 fifties to his name so far.