JOIN US'Test'ing time ahead
Robin Uthappa needs no introduction. The suave player first came into the public eye in 2005 and after that he has managed to make a mark for himself.
He played an important role in India’s win at the ICC T20 World Cup 2007 and performed splendidly at this year’s Indian Premiere League for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. In an interview with Metrolife, the cricketer spoke about fashion, cricket and his other interests including golf.
Speaking about the changes that cricket has seen, he says, “Cricket has changed a lot. When I started playing, my aim was to play Test cricket. But now with the volume of cricket being played in India, you have to set goals that are achievable.” So has he given up the idea of playing Test cricket? “That goal is still there but I have given myself a few more years to achieve that. Right now, I’m focusing on One day and Twenty20. You can focus on one thing and still achieve a lot,” he says.
But with so many opportunities in other formats of the game, why does he still want to play Test cricket? “Playing Test cricket is the best achievement in India and is an experience in itself,” he says. “I want to have a tag against my name saying that I was a Test cricketer,” he adds.
Robin also explained in detail the kind of training that is required for Twenty20 games. “Earlier, you could just do the regular training and play. But now with Twenty20, the training is more power-based and depends on what kind of athlete you are and what your team wants out of you,” he says. He also informs that he played tennis for about six months before cricket.
“At the age of nine, I decided that I wanted to become a professional cricketer,” he says.
“Had my mother not driven me up and down from the cricket camp, I wouldn’t have been here,” he adds.
He also talks about his other interests including golf. “I am addicted to it. If I am not playing on the course, then I am playing on my i-pad,” he says. “I also read a lot of autobiographies. I can sing a little bit too,” he adds. Does he ever sing for his team-mates?
“They will throw chappals at me, if I do,” he laughs. Is he fashion conscious? “There is always an impending fear that if I wear whatever I want to then there will be a picture of me saying ‘faux pas’,” he jokes. “But usually I do make an effort to dress up well everytime I go out,” he adds.
And what about the upcoming Champions League?
“I haven’t played cricket for the last 125 days, so I’m missing the game a lot,” he says.