Robin Uthappa may change his state team

Robin Uthappa is the in-form batsman for Kolkata Knight Riders in the tenth edition of Indian Premier League (IPL). He alongside skipper Gautam Gambhir has made many 50-plus opening stands, which made their partnership earn the name ‘Gauthappa’. Though he has not been opening for them this season, owing to the Blitzkrieg of Narine and Lynn, he has done well in any position he has come to bat.

Uthappa reportedly was unhappy with the proceedings at Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). He was dropped mid-way through the last Ranji season, which made him go berserk. The association who have cashed in on this player-board tussle is the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA).

Talking to the sports magazine Sportstarlive, a KCA official told “The KCA has opened talks with the Robin Uthappa. Both parties are interested. But we have to discuss the terms of the contract. If his terms are acceptable to us, Robin will play for Kerala this season”. The 31-year old batsman is eyeing for a national team return, and he wishes to perform well not only in the one and a half month long tournament IPL but also in the domestic circuit, to grab the attention of the national team selectors.

While ‘Robbie’ has been always in great form for KKR, he has also scored 328 first class runs for his birth-state Karnataka this season. It includes a wonderfully crafted century against Assam too. Despite that, he has been neglected by the KSCA. With the new breeds of talented cricketers like Karun Nair and KL Rahul, who have done well for India, the KSCA has made their intentions clear that they are looking to invest faith in youngsters.

Kerala fielded as many as three outstation cricketers (Bhavin Thakur, Jalaj Saxena and Iqbal Abdullah) last season, to achieve success, and it involves no rocket science to guess why they want the in-form batsman to strengthen their side.

Uthappa is working hard to be in the scheme of things for national team selection and to get his name on the selectors’ diaries’ ‘watchlist’ page. The team that is coached by ex-KKR coach Dav Whatmore, will be surely going all-out to get Robin by their side.