Karnataka’s star cricketer Robin Uthappa, who last played for Team India in 2015 during a tour of Zimbabwe, is currently eyeing his comeback in the national cricket team for the shortest format of the game. Robin Uthappa was a part of the ODI World Cup 2017 winning team and the inaugural T20 World Cup-winning squad. While we all are aware of how he has been a key player for the KKR team in IPL, but there’s much more to know about this wicket-keeper batsman.
Here, we bring you 10 lesser-known facts about Robin Uthappa. Have a look:
1. Robin Uthappa’s father Venu Uthappa is a former international hockey referee. He is currently serving as the president of the Karnataka Hockey Association. Despite his father’s love for hockey, Robin Uthappa took up cricket as his profession.
2. Robin was born to a Hindu father and a Christian mother, later Robin and his sister decided to convert to Christianity in 2011.
3. Robin Uthappa was only 10, when he was afflicted with epilepsy. The treatment of the same hindered his metabolism rate and as a result of which, Uthappa face issues with maintaining his weight, which troubled him during his mid-20s. Later on, he took the help of a nutritionist and lost 20kg to become fit.
4. In 2002, when Uthappa was 17, he made his Ranji Trophy debut for Karnataka.Playing against Haryana, Uthappa walked in to bat at number 3 and scored a quick 40. A few days before this, Uthappa made his List A debut for Karnataka and had scored 61 runs against Andhra Pradesh.
5. Robin Uthappa was also a part of India’s under-19 cricket team that went on to play at the ICC under-19 World Cup 2004, alongwith Ambatti Rayudu (captain), Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik and many more.
6. Robin Uthappa finally found a space in the Indian cricket team in the year 2006 for the ODI series against England. He made his debut in Indore and scored 86 runs, which was the highest score by an Indian on ODI debut.
7.In 2007, Uthappa made his T20 international debut playing against Scotland during the ICC World T20 2007, however,the game was called out without a ball being balled. But in the next game against Pakistan, Uthappa impressed everyone by scoring his maiden 50.
8. In order to train himself and get back on the track, Robin Uthappa hired former Indian batsman Pravin Amre as his personal batting coach.
9. In IPL 2014, Robin Uthappa emerged out as a star performer. He became the only Indian batsman after Sachin to win the orange cap.
10. 2013-2014 was the best part of his career, during which he won many trophies including the Ranji Trophy, the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Irani Trophy. It was the same year, when KKR emerged victorious in IPL.
