Robin Uthappa interview

[teddy]

Robin Uthappa interview

Uthappa glad to be part of victory

Mumbai, April 16: Karnataka opener Robin Uthappa, who impressed in top-scoring with 86 for India on his debut in the final ODI against England at Indore on Saturday, said he was happy to have played a part in the team’s victory.

The Bangalore-based player, also a member of the 15-member Indian team for the Abu Dhabi one-dayers against Pakistan, said it was a great honour to bat with the Indian skipper.


"I am glad I could contribute to the team’s success in my first game. It’s a great feeling."


"I have played only one match with Rahul. But it’s a great honour to bat along with him. He is the captain of the side. I felt comfortable out there in the middle."

"They (Dravid and coach Greg Chappell) didn’t say much, except to work hard and play my natural game and play it to the best of my ability."

"The A team tournament in Abu Dhabi will be important because I would be able to work on the finer points of my technicalities."


from various sources

 

[teddy]

Re: Robin Uthappa interview

"Inexperience can be used as an excuse or an opportunity. It is as an excuse that it is most often trotted out England’s management... India, throughout, this series, have used is as an opportunity," former England captain Michael Atherton wrote in his column in The Sunday Telegraph.

"Dravid is all neat wristiness, Uthappa blunt power. Playing his first match, Uthappa showed that inexperience is not bar to excellence," Atherton wrote.

"But for a calamitous run out, Uthappa might have celebrated his debut with a century."

India had rested senior players including vice-captain Virender Sehwag and Mohammad Kaif, both of whom had struggled to make runs in the series, and the in-form wicketkeeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni. England lost several players to injuries before and during the tour.

"England will feel they might have pushed India close if they had a full squad, but they are what they are: ranked seventh in the world," the newpaper’s cricket writer Angus Fraser.