Uthappa likely to play for Saurashtra

Veteran batsman Robin Uthappa, who had decided to shift allegiance from Karnataka after 15 years, could turn out for Saurashtra in the upcoming domestic season.

The seasoned campaigner, who was given the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) in June, was in talks with the Kerala Cricket Association for a long time. KCA secretary Jayesh George had stated in May that Uthappa was all set to play for the State but no official statement was released from the association.

In the latest development, the former India batsman seems to have approached the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA). An SCA official said on Friday that they were in talks with Uthappa and a final decision would be taken in a couple of days.

The right-hander, who made his debut for Karnataka in the 2002-03 season, was an integral part of the team that clinched the unprecedented double-treble (2013-14, 14-15) –– Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup and the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Uthappa, who has played 130 first class games, was a pale shadow of his glorious days in the last season of the Ranji Trophy. The stylish batsman scored 328 runs in seven innings in a campaign in which Karnataka crashed out in the quarterfinals.

 Reacting to Uthappa’s decision to shift loyalties, KSCA secretary Sudhakar Rao said: “We tried our best to convince Robin to play for Karnataka. We told him that he has played for Karnataka for a very long time and he should continue playing for the State. But he wanted some change. We had two meetings with him but his decision didn’t change. He is a senior player and we cannot pressurise him. Wherever he plays, we wish him the best and we really hope he gets back into the Indian side.”