Uthappa no more dependent on powerplays
Robin Uthappa may have been out of the Indian side for long time but that’s not deterring the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batsman from dreaming of making a comeback.
Uthappa, guided Kolkata Knight Riders to a comfortable win over Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS), feels he still has it in him to break into the national squad. “It (this season) is as important as any other season. It is important to keep performing and I have been doing that. The dream is to play for India again and represent the country in Test matches,” Robin Uthappa was quoted as saying by iplt20.com.
“The dreams are there but one can’t think too far forward. You want to stay in the present and give your best foot forward. I believe hard work never goes unnoticed. I truly believe my turn will come.”
The wicketkeeperbatsman has scored 272 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 165.85, which happens to be the best among the top-10 scorers of the 2017 Indian Premier League. He also has three fifties.
Robin Uthappa, who was adjudged the Man of the Match on Wednesday for his knock at the MCA Stadium in Pune, said during the postmatch presentation that this is the best he has been batting for a while. “I have always been strong. I said to somebody a few weeks ago that I have settled down with my technique.
I feel confident and I am enjoying myself out there. It is very important to respect the momentum that we have created for ourselves,” Uthappa, who shared a 158-run stand with skipper in the seven-wicket win, said.
Not only has his batting improved but his glove work as well and it was evident during the three stumpings he was involved in against Pune.
Uthappa, who has been pushed down to No 3 in the batting, feels that he doesn’t need the cushion of powerplays to get his runs anymore.
“As a batsman, you lose out on the advantage of batting in the first six overs,” said Uthappa.
“I have immense faith in my batting; I know I don’t need that kind of advantage to score the runs that I need to score for the team. I back myself and I am really confident and sure about my batting.”
Matthew Hayden, who was in the commentary box on Wednesday, felt Uthappa is the most underrated T20 player in
India.