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FUTURE PROMISE
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Robin Uthappa, the Karnataka Under-19 opener, garnered a lot of runs in the recent Ghulam Ahmed Trophy South Zone tournament
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Robin Uthappa: poised for recognition - Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash
ROBIN UTHAPPA'S batting is a potent blend of dash and delight. A rousing pull and a cut that scorches have been productive weapons as he often punishes errant fast bowlers with an air of supreme confidence. And it helps that he is an opener. "I love hitting the ball and I love opening. I don't think I will enjoy batting in the middle-order," says Robin.
The Karnataka under-19 opener has been raining runs in the Ghulam Ahmed Trophy South Zone under-19 tournament in progress here at Bangalore. A sharp eye and fleet foot remain his strengths. "I watch the ball real close and that helps me get into the right position fast," says Robin, while throwing light on his prolific run with the bat. And another tilt at the India junior cap begins as he awaits his turn at the selection trials for the India under-19 squad at Mumbai.
The India under-19 team is scheduled to tour Pakistan next month, and Robin, with a string of good scores under his belt, may well secure his flight tickets across the Wagah border. It does help that he has played for India juniors last year when he toured with the National under-17 squad in Sri Lanka last year. "I learnt a lot in that tour and having E.A.S. Prasanna Sir as coach was a great help. He motivated us. To see him bowl at us with such enthusiasm and often get us out at the nets was truly inspiring. I scored more than 300 runs in that tour and we did extremely well against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. We shared the Tri-Series trophy with Sri Lanka after the final was washed out and won the two Tests, one each against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh," says Robin. It was a series that also marked Robin's entry into the spotlight as Dilip Vengsarkar, Chairman, BCCI Talent Resource Development Wing, rated the Karnataka player quite high.
Robin's present dreams hinge on grabbing a permanent slot in the Karnataka Ranji team. That golden-hued hope of playing for India one day keeps the fire burning in him. But, as he says, the future can wait. "I don't want to think long term. I just want to do well right now. Of course, playing for India is a dream that I wish comes true one day," says Robin.
The present is a matter of scalding the boundary ropes and he has indeed done that in style. His scores — 112, 144, and 83 against Goa, Kerala, and Andhra, respectively, in the Ghulam Ahmed trophy — has lent a touch of sunshine to his broad blade. But the shadow lines do creep in as a few first innings failures and soft dismissals, often reflected in steep-ling catches to the fielder in the deep. Says the 17-year-old: "I still cannot understand why I get out like that. In fact, I recently had a chat with one of my cricketing heroes, Rahul Dravid. He told me that I should stay focussed even after scoring a century. He asked me to make the most of it when the going is good, else I will regret it later when I go through a bad patch. I often used to lose patience before. But now I am working on it."
Introspection does lend a weighty presence to his stint at the crease these days. And those days of slam-bang and endless cameos are indeed a thing of the past. "Yes, I have changed as a batsman. I have realised that I need to stay more at the wicket. I wait for the bad ball to play my shots," he says. And with a touch of confidence, which remains youth's biggest ally, Robin says: "I know I have something special in me. I know that I can play at the highest level, but at the same time, I know that by merely playing shots I won't get there. I need to score big runs, spend more time at the crease." Batting remains his first love, though he has done some wicket-keeping intermittently since his school days at St. Josephs. "I did keep wickets for my school team and when I played for the State under-14, our regular keeper fell ill, and I replaced him. But I am primarily a batsman and I don't mind keeping wickets if there is an urgent need. I still practise keeping in the nets so that I don't lose track," he says.
Robin's foray into cricket is indeed new to his Kodava community known for its flair for hockey. India's National Game does run in his family. Robin's father Venu Uthappa is a former player, who now is a busy hockey umpire. Query him on his switch to cricket, and Robin lights up: "Cricket is my passion. I just love playing the game. And dad has always encouraged me ever since I started playing cricket when I was seven years old," he says.
Those faltering steps have now transformed into a confident gait with a twirl of the bat being a regular feature of his walk towards the pitch. Runs and records have indeed happened quick for Robin after he fast-tracked into cricket with stints at the Brijesh Patel Cricket Academy and at the Frank Tyson Clinic at the National Cricket Academy. "Attending Frank Tyson's Clinic was a boon to me. I learnt the value of physical fitness and mental toughness. In fact, after my stay in the clinic, I lost about 15 kilos. I worked really hard and I gave up on a few things I love a lot — Coorg pandi curry, mutton etc.. I do eat rice, but I have reduced the quantity," says Robin, while memories of a boy with puppy fat doing a romp with the bat still remains fresh.
A lean Robin is bad news for the bowlers. But for Karnataka cricket, he is indeed a pointer to a better future. "Robin has tremendous potential. Just that he shouldn't get carried away," says Makarand Waingankar, consultant with the Karnataka State Cricket Academy. Last season, Robin played two matches for Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy Plate Division and his cameos left coach Abhiram yearning for more. "Robin played positively and he is very talented," Abhiram had then said.
A positive approach remains Robin's strength. And with his recent knocks hinting at a welcome addition of patience and poise to his batting armoury, Robin may well fly high. The boy with roots in the Coorg town of Suntikoppa has come a long way.
K.C. VIJAYA KUMAR
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