Robin Uthappa retired from all forms of international and Indian cricket – domestic and IPL – on Wednesday, bringing down curtains on a professional career in India that had started in 2002.
This decision of 36-year-old Uthappa, who last played for India in 2015, to retire from Indian cricket will allow him to take part in all the franchise leagues around the world. The Chennai Super Kings opener took to Twitter on Wednesday to announce his decision.
“It has been my greatest honour to represent my country and my state, Karnataka. However, all good things must come to an end, and with a grateful heart, I have decided to retire from all forms of Indian cricket. Thank you all,” Uthappa tweeted with a two-page heartfelt note and a still of him acknowledging the crowd during the bowl-out against Pakistan at the 2007 T20 World Cup.
It has been my greatest honour to represent my country and my state, Karnataka. However, all good things must come to an end, and with a grateful heart, I have decided to retire from all forms of Indian cricket.
Thank you all ❤️ pic.twitter.com/GvWrIx2NRs
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) September 14, 2022
Part of India’s 2004 Under-19 World Cup team, Uthappa made his ODI debut in 2006 and T20I debut in 2007. He played 46 ODIs and 13 T20Is. Uthappa was a crucial cog of MS Dhoni’s young brigade that won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 in South Africa. Uthappa lost his place in the Indian team after that and made sporadic comebacks later on, but those couldn’t materialise into a longer stay that he would have liked.
He also won several domestic titles with Karnataka and won the IPL twice: with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014 and with Chennai Super Kings in 2021.
CSK’s bid adieu to Robin Uthappa with an emotional tweet
Uthappa’s last IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings, posted a heartfelt, emotional tweet soon after him announcing his retirement.
“The Fans. The Pride. You. Our bond is everlasting! Super Thanks, Robbie! #77,” CSK tweeted.
Here, check out CSK’s tweet for Robin Uthappa:
The Fans. The Pride. You.
Our bond is everlasting! Super Thanks, Robbie! 🤘🏻💛 #77#WhistlePoduForever #Yellove 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/MRwf6G4gE1— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) September 14, 2022
Uthappa featured in all the 15 seasons of the IPL so far, representing as many as 6 teams in the tournament: Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Pune Warriors India, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals, amassing a total of 4952 runs in 205 IPL matches, striking at 130.35 and averaging 27.51.
He bagged the Orange Cap in IPL 2014, when he scored 660 runs helping KKR win their second title. In the IPL 2021 final, Uthappa smashed 31 runs off 15 balls vs KKR, this time helping CSK lift the trophy.