Robin Uthappa is arguably the unluckiest cricketer in the country right now. Despite being one of the most prominent run-makers in the domestic chance, he is finding it tough to break into the Indian team. He was the highest run-getter in Ranji Trophy 2014-15, the seventh highest run-getter in the last previous Ranji season. If his exploits in the domestic cricket were not enough to guarantee a spot in the Indian team, he also scored heavily in the star-studded Indian Premier League but the elusive call from the selectors have not except on few occasions for series against smaller teams.
Talking to Cricbuzz, the Karnataka batsman is confident that he has not fallen out of favour with the selectors and insisted that his chances to get selected in the Indian team are as good as others’ chances.
“I feel my chances are as good as anybody else’s but it’s up to the selectors. I’ve been performing consistently over the last few years; I think my job is to make sure that I continue to perform consistently and make sure that these performances are match-winning performances and championship-winning performances,” Uthappa said.
“That’s when it becomes even more meaningful and that’s what I’m looking at doing – every time I perform I make sure that we win the game or my performances in a way add value to the team to win the championship. That’s what I’m focusing on and I believe I will get my due. I still dream very big and I haven’t let go of any of my dreams. I’m working hard, I’m moving forward and I believe that my time under the sun will come,” ha added.
Uthappa last played for the national team during the Zimbabwe series where the senior members were rested. Talking about his experience in the team, he said: “For me, I think when I played in the (Indian) side, I never played in one position for more than three games. I’m certain that if I had played in one position for maybe 10 games or even 5-6 games, I know I would have made a bigger dent than I did when playing in one position for less than three games, three innings. So I think that’s where things went a little awry for me.”
He insisted that not getting the desired batting position in the Indian team was one of the main reasons for his failure to make an impact but sounded confident of his chances in the Indian team.
“Even when I made comebacks, I scored runs as an opening batsman (for Karnataka) but I always played as a middle-order batsman (with India). I think that’s one of the banes for a person willing to do anything for the country. Having said that, like I said, I still believe that I will have my time under the sun and I think it’s a matter of time. I need to continue doing what is in my control and leave the rest up to the selectors and god,” he said.