Knew I had the ability to come back, says Uthappa

Bengaluru:  A conversation with Robin Uthappa is often peppered with the word belief. Self-belief is often the hallmark of a champion. At the fag end of the Ranji season, the 28-year-old Kodava had said he believed he was a few good knocks away from an Indian team recall.

On a sultry Wednesday evening even as the in-form batsman prepared to guide Kolkata Knight Riders to the Indian Premier League final, he got the deserved call, which came after an agonising six-year wait.

With a staggering 655 runs and counting in the ongoing IPL, the orange cap sits comfy on his head and he has earned the blue for the tour of Bangladesh next month.
Uthappa, who last played a ODI in 2008 against Sri Lanka in Karachi, is delighted with his comeback.

“I always knew I had the ability and game to make the comeback. I worked hard towards refining my game and plug the gaps in my technique. There is a sense of determination and a sense of belief now. I have been waiting for this moment for a long time. For me, it’s a great opportunity to go there and win matches for the country. I am looking forward to the series.”

With a fresh-look Indian team touring the neighbouring country under the leadership of Suresh Raina, it is easy to assume that the pressure will be on experienced players like Uthappa and Raina. But for Uthappa, it is a responsibility he is willing shoulder rather than allowing pressure to get to him.

“As an opening batsman, you always have the responsibility of giving a good start to the innings at any level you play. That doesn’t change. As I have been saying, this is a start for me as far as playing for India is concerned and I can’t wait to go out there and perform.

“The opening slot is where I feel most comfortable batting at. When I told myself that I would come back as an opener two years ago, when the opening slot wasn’t free, it wasn’t a misplaced statement. I had the belief in my ability and I worked towards that patiently. Now it’s up to me to deliver to those expectations.”

On the other hand, Karnataka skipper R. Vinay Kumar is hoping to make the most of the opportunity that has come his way, the first after Australia’s tour of India last year.
“It’s in my hand now how I shape my international career. I have been in and out of the Indian team but this time I want to make sure I prolong my stay in the team.

My eventual goal is to play in the 2015 World Cup and in order to do that I need to justify my call,” said the 30-year-old medium pacer.