Robin Venu Uthappa, born 11 November 1985 in Kodagu,Karnataka is an Indian cricketer. His father is Venu Uthappa, an international hockey referee and mother Roselyn is a home maker hails from Kozhikode. He made his One-Day International debut in the seventh and final match of the English tour of India in April 2006. He had a successful debut, making 86 as an opening batsman before being run out. It was the highest score for anyIndian debutant in a limited overs match.

Uthappa first came to the public’s attention when he made 66 for India B against India A in the Challenger Trophy in 2005. The following year, in the same tournament, Uthappa made matchwinning 93-ball 100 against the same team which propelled him in the big league. Previously, he had been a member of the India under-19 team that won the Asia Cup. Once a wicketkeeper-batsman, his List A batting average of near 40 with a strike rate of approximately 90 has made him regarded as something of a limited overs cricket specialist.

He was recalled to the ODI side in January 2007 for the series againstthe West Indies where he smashed a 70 from just 41 balls.

He was selected in the 15-member squad of the Indian Cricket team for the 2007 Cricket World Cup held in the West Indies in March-April 2007. He played in all 3 group games, but only scored 30 runs in total as India suffered a shock defeat to Bangladesh and a loss to Sri Lanka resulting in the team not qualifying for the Super 8 stage.

In the sixth ODI of the NatWest Series 2007-2008, he scored a sensational 47 of 33 balls to take India to a thrilling victory, keepingIndian hopes alive in the 7 match series that they were trailing 2-3 before the match. Used to batting as an opener, in this match he came in at the unfamiliar position of no 7. When he came at the crease India were 5 down for 234 after 40.2 overs, still needing 83 from less than 10 overs. After Dhoni got out in the 47th over with the Indian score at 294, Uthappa kept a cool head to take India to the target with two balls to spare in a remarkable victory.

Uthappa also scored a crucial 50 against Pakistan in the 20-20 World Cup in South Africa, when India were tottering at 36/4. India subsequently won the match in bowl out 3-0.

He is known for his trademark ‘walking slam-bang’ shot.

Uthappa played for Karnataka institute of cricket (KIOC) – under the guidance of Irfan Sait who runs the cricket camp.

source: http://www.yasni.com