The ever-consistent Robin Uthappa is having another productive run in this edition of the IPL. over the years, Uthappa has been one of the key pillars of KKR batting line-up. This edition has been no different. Continuing his rich vein of form from the previous seasons, Robin Uthappa was one of the front runners for the orange cap this year as well, before missing out on couple of games due to an injury.
Robin uthappa has always been known for his elegant batsmanship. His silky-smooth stroke play combined with exquisite timing makes batting seem like an exhibition of an artistic composition. The new revelation this season though is the display of fearless batting style by the right hander.
The usage of brute force, clean ball-striking, and “hell for leather” approach has made Robin Uthappa a fearsome proposition for the bowlers in this IPL.
According to Robin Uthappa, he has settled down with his changed technique, which has allowed him to play more freely this season. Robin has amassed 384 runs this season at an astronomical strike rate of close to 170(which is way above his career strike rate of 134). Only the Australian batting sensation and his KKR team mate Chris Lynn has a better strike rate than Robin this IPL.
The effortless pulls, powerful slog sweeps and his trademark inside out drives over extra cover, which usually travels to the boundary ropes along the surface have invariably landed in the crowds this season. His tally of 21 sixes in just 11 games is a testimony to his astonishing six-hitting ability.
Although there have been many telling contributions by Robin Uthappa for KKR this season, his match winning blistering half century against Delhi Daredevils(DD) tops the chart. He made a mockery of Delhi pace bowling line-up, taking the likes of Cummins and Rabada to the cleaners on the newly re-laid Eden garden’s surface that had plenty of pace and bounce on offer.
The sight of indian batsman consistently dismissing a 90-mph international bowler half way up the stands was breath-taking to watch.
In the absence of star batsman Chris Lynn for the most part of this IPL, Robin Uthappa along with the skipper Gautam Gambhir has been the chief architects of KKR’s success this season. With KL Rahul injured, there was a tiny bit of optimism among fans regarding Uthappa’s selection in the Indian team as an opener for the champions trophy.
But that was nothing more than just an optimism ignited by Robin Uthappa’s exciting display of batting, as selectors pointed out, IPL performances meant little for selecting an international squad for ODI cricket to be played in UK.
Even at the age of 31, Robin Uthappa’s ambition of representing his country still remains high. In a recent interview, he expressed his desire to win matches for his country. If his heroics in this year’s IPL are anything to go by, one may not be surprised if he gets an opportunity to play for India in T20 internationals in the near future.
If he can replicate this form in domestic circuit and light up the next year’s IPL with his performances again, it will become very hard for selectors to ignore an exciting prospect like him.
