It seems Robin Uthappa knows a thing or two about playing World Cup cricket since he has been a part of two dramatically different ones within a single year. From the ignominy of a first knock out round in West Indies to the joy of being crowned champions of inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa, he has experienced it all at the age of just 21.
A year into international cricket, Robin went on to play in the two World Cups in 2007. He subsequently lost touch and his India’s place but now attempts to get his chequered career back on track.
From being this season’s Ranji top scorer with 912 runs averaging above 50 to leading the run scoring charts in last year’s IPL with 660 runs averaging 44, Robin is churning down numbers everywhere.
Uthappa is so determined to earn back his Team India cap that donning the gloves in test match cricket is also a possibility he doesn’t want to discount. “Keeping has been a lot of fun and I have been enjoying it. MS has just retired. So I am fancying myself there. Never know what comes in. I believe I have the kind of fitness that is needed to play at that level. I am hopeful my performances would be taken note of,” he says.
Till he makes a comeback Robin is keeping his fingers crossed for Dhoni’s men who are on a roll in Australia. If 2007 was forgettable, 2015 promises to be a year to remember, much like 2011. “It’s important to take the defending champs tag off your back which they have done. India is doing great, growing from strength to strength. To see the bowlers bowling so well and the bowlers fielding so well is fantastic. They are playing well as a team with MS leading beautifully as usual. It is also great to have Shikhar back in form at top of the order,” he analyses.
And Robin isn’t surprised with the team’s resurgence after the drubbing they received earlier in tests and the tri series in Australia. “Whenever you have a dampening sort of tournament before World Cup this can happen. In 2003 we had a dampening tour of New Zealand just before the Cup and the boys picked themselves up. Cricketers motivate themselves from losses. Our bunch of boys have desire to win and excel. Hopefully it will be good enough to win back the trophy. So three more games and we should have it back here,” he speaks with infectious optimism. India waits with bated breath for Robin’s prophecy to come true.
source: http://www.indiatoday.intoday.in / IndiaToday.in / Home> Sports> World Cup 2015> Updates / by Rasesh Mandani, Mumbai / March 16th, 2015
