I am all in – Robin Uthappa ready to don wicket-keeping gloves for Indian team

 

Indian batsman Robin Uthappa has thrown his hat in the ring to be the wicket-keeper batsman of the national side. Since MS Dhoni has stopped playing, the wicket-keeper slot has not been filled permanently by a single player in all the three forms of the game. However, KL Rahul has grabbed his opportunities in the limited overs format in the recent past.

Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant hasn’t been able to make the most of his chances. Pant has disappointed with the bat and thus Rahul will now be given his chances in the white ball format. The Karnataka batsman had scored 224 runs in five T20Is against New Zealand and he hasn’t looked back since taking the gloves from Rishabh Pant.

On the other hand, Robin Uthappa who last played in the Indian colours back in 2015 against Zimbabwe, is still hopeful for a magical return. Uthappa added he is ready to do anything for the team and if it is keeping wickets, then he is up to the challenge. Robin has the experience of keeping the wickets for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.

Meanwhile, Uthappa was bought by Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2020 auctions and he would like to hit the ground running for the inaugural champions.

Uthappa heaped praise on KL Rahul for his brilliant work behind the stumps in the recent past. Rahul has done justice to the role he has been given by the team management. In fact, Dinesh Karthik has done a fine job in T20I format but he is left out of the shortest version despite good performances.

“Yeah for sure (if wicketkeeping is an option to play for India). There are exceptional guys who are donning the gloves at the moment. KL (Rahul) is doing a fantastic job. He seems to look like he’s become more natural with his wicket keeping skills. He’s clearly doing some work behind the stumps which is why he seems so much better today with the gloves. DK (Dinesh Karthik) is someone who has done well for India in the T20 format,” said Uthappa in a Youtube interview with Sportscreen.

Uthappa said he has always put the team above personal milestones. The stylish batsman from Karnataka added he never batted at a particular decision for more than three innings when he was playing for the Indian team. Uthappa stated that he is ready to do anything if the team benefits.

“So yeah, there is a chance. Every time I played for the Indian team in whatever shape or form they needed me. I have never batted at one position for more than three innings when I played for India. For me, when I am representing my country, I am all in. As a person, I am an all in or nothing kind of a person. Whatever the team needs me to do, I am happy and willing to do it,” said Uthappa.

Robin Uthappa, who is 34 years old, has got the experience under his belt but his return to the national team looks unpragmatic as the selectors and the team management will look to give chances to the younger generation. Uthappa will need to come up with special performances in the IPL and domestic circuit to make a case for himself to get back into the Indian team.