Two days before Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy Group B tie against Assam, Robin Uthappa hopped over to Shivaji Park after training with his team and had a session with his personal coach Praveen Amre at the nursery of Mumbai’s batsmanship. No wonder then that the duo was seen involved in a long chat after Uthappa ended the day unbeaten on 108 to bail Karnataka out of trouble.

“I came back to Mumbai from Kolkata and I told sir, “I wasn’t getting my swing. My feel wasn’t that great”. We practised at Shivaji Park for two days and he was confident in two days I’ll get my feel back,” says Uthappa. “I actually got it back and feel really good. I just want to capitalise on what I have done today and make it a big one.”

After being unable to come good in Karnataka’s first two games of the season, Uthappa has finally gotten into run-scoring mode.

Ever since he burst on to the domestic scene as a 17-year-old, you like to keep watching him bat. Similarly, as he has evolved into a mature cricketer and an individual, you feel like listening to him every time he talks.

Despite being on the fringes and having made several returns to India’s squad, Uthappa hasn’t really been able to cement his place in the team. Having crossed 30, one cannot help but wonder if he has given up on wearing the India jersey. Ask him if he has started entering into the “enjoying the game” phase, and he interrupts you right away.

“Absolutely not,” he says. “I love the game, I enjoy it but my dream is still very strong and I still believe I’ll play for India.

“That’s what drives me. If that doesn’t drive me, then I certainly won’t be playing cricket. I wouldn’t take up the spot of a youngster.

“I’ll keep trying. I genuinely think age is just a number and I just think I need to keep stacking up the runs. No more knocking on the doors, I need to break it down in a big way.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport / by Amol Karhadkar / Mumbai – October 29th, 2016