Robin Uthappa bids good bye to Karnataka Ranji Team; Here are all the details:- Wicket keeper batsman Robin Uthappa has been granted No-objection certificate by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and is all set to join Kerala for 2017-18 season.

The 31-year old batsman Robin Uthappa who has played 46 ODIS and 13 T20Is for India said he had his reason leaving Karnataka and he gave a good thought before making this decision.

Robin Uthappa made his First-Class debut for Karnataka in 2002-03 as a 16 year old and has played 101 first-class matches for Karnataka scoring 6865 runs including 18 centuries and 33 half-centuries. In 2014-15 he was the leading run scorer in Karnataka”s Ranji Trophy title.

Robin Uthappa’s captaincy in 2009-10, Karnataka reached the finals. He has been part of a victorious Karnataka Ranji side, winning 2 titles in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

However his last domestic season was one to forget as the talisman batsman managed only 328 runs with the bat and only one hundred. His team Karnataka had an early quarter final exit.

KSCA secretary Sudhakar Rao said, “I had a long chat with Robin and he had his reasons for moving out. We tried to hold him back but couldn”t, so we had to issue the NOC as per his request. His contribution to Karnataka cricket is immense and we wish him the best always.”

Robin Uthappa has played various roles in the sides he has played for right from opening the batting, batting in middle order playing the role of finisher and even keeping wickets. He has been often overlooked by national selectors despite having stellar performances in First-Class cricket.

With still a good number of years of cricket left in him, the shift to Kerala provides him another opportunity to make it count and comeback into the Indian side.

– by Atharva Apte