ABU DHABI: Hockey sticks were strewn around the place but it was a cricket bat that he picked from the pile. His father, A.E. Venu Uthappa, a hockey player and then an umpire of repute, did not impose his liking on young Robin.

"Be a good sportsman," was his simple message.

Robin Uthappa has remembered his father's words. The grind has been hard for Uthappa but he has learnt to fight and survive the challenges of becoming a quality cricketer. But he nearly quit the game at 16.

"I had stopped enjoying the game," he confesses.

This was a critical stage for Uthappa. Disillusioned, he nearly broke his father's heart but a messiah in the form of Dilip Vengsarkar came into his life, and changed it completely. Uthappa was offered a match at the National Cricket Academy and the cricketer in Uthappa emerged. "I made 80 not out," he recalls, with a shine in his eyes.

An obsession

Cricket now became an obsession for Uthappa. There was a problem to contend with. "I was fat," Uthappa revealed. He locked himself away from the world, concentrated on losing weight at the Frank Tyson Cricket Academy. The 7-to-7 daily schedule was "killing" but he lost 13 kgs in a month.

Uthappa's cricket journey had been put in process. He earned a place in the India under-17 team for the Asia Cup and the same season made his first-class debut for Karnataka.

"My dad always reminds me that I have the talent and need to put in hard work. When I was close to quitting, he urged me to give it one last shot. I am happy I did because I loved cricket even though I played hockey for my school (St. Joseph's). I owe it to my parents who had more faith in me," said an emotional Uthappa.

A determined youngster

A very determined youngster, Uthappa has learnt to grasp the important lessons of life. "I always remind myself that my parents have made sacrifices to raise me and become a good sportsman. I remember my roots every time I walk to the middle. I can never forget the help I got from Robin (Singh) sir. He has backed me all the way. I am also indebted to Mr. (K) Jeswanth and Fr. Michael John."

Uthappa is enjoying the experience of sharing the dressing room with a stalwart like Rahul Dravid. His admiration for Sachin Tendulkar is unmatched. Uthappa's first meeting with Tendulkar was at a camp in Bangalore. "Brijesh (Patel) sir had called some of us to come and throw at Sachin. I was shivering with excitement."

Two incidents stand out from his childhood. Watching Anil Kumble bowl in the Hero Cup final in 1993, Uthappa had remarked to his mother, "if he takes a wicket off this ball, I will play for India." Kumble bowled Carl Hooper the next ball. His mother, Rosy, fondly reminds her son of that incident.

Uthappa also remembers how Rosy once pushed him to take Dravid's autograph.

The son refused.

"I want to give, not seek autographs."

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail