Robin Uthappa to play for Saurashtra in the 2017/18 season

After featuring for his birth state Karnataka ever since his debut in 2002, Robin Uthappa has finally decided to move on and he will be seen playing for Saurashtra in the forthcoming 2017/18 season. Uthappa received NOC from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for the transfer in June despite the officials tried their best to hold the keeper-batsman back. Uthappa was earlier reported to be joining Kerala this year after the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) offered captaincy role and roped in the services of Dave Whatmore, but the former Indian player opted to make a move to Saurashtra.

Uthappa made his debut in 2002/03 season for Karnataka at an age of 17 and played in 101 out of his career’s 130 first-class matches for them aggregating 6865 runs with an average of 41.85 and scored 18 centuries and 33 fifties. He represented his state side in 67 List A games scoring 2943 runs at a healthy average of 45.98 with 10 centuries and 15 fifties. Robin played in 35 Twenty20s as well for Karnataka scoring 1018 runs.

The 32-year-old amassed 6845 runs in 98 Ranji Trophy matches for Karnataka, the 2nd highest for the state by any player after Brijesh Patel who aggregated 7126 runs in 104 appearances in India’s premier domestic tournament. However, in the last season, Uthappa scored just 328 runs in 12 innings averaging 27.33 with only one fifty-plus score; 128 vs Assam. His poor performances prompted the team management to drop Uthappa for the later stages.

Pujara and Jadeja get a new teammate

Robin Uthappa will now be playing for Saurashtra which has been blessed by the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja, Sheldon Jackson and Jaydev Unadkat. In a statement on Thursday, the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) has confirmed the new addition to their squad.

“Robin Uthappa has completed all necessary formalities to BCCI [Board of Control for Cricket in India], Saurashtra Cricket Association [SCA] and Karnataka State Cricket Association [KSCA],” said Himanshu Shah, the SCA media manager, in a statement on Thursday (August 10). “Saurashtra Cricket Association welcomes Robin Uthappa. SCA feels confident that Robin will add up the strength to strong Ranji Team of Saurashtra with his vast experience and commendable performance.”