Robin Uthappa Explains Why He Switched From Playing Hockey To Cricket

Indian batter Robin Uthappa revealed about his sporting journey from hockey to cricket. Uthappa has played 46 One-Day International matches and 13 T20Is for India since making his ODI debut against England in 2006.

The Karnataka-born player was part of India’s victorious title in the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa led by MS Dhoni.

Uthappa last played in Indian colours in the year 2015 in both the white-ball formats during India’s tour of Zimbabwe. Seven years later he is still playing the game for Kerala on the domestic circuit and Channel Super Kings in the IPL.

Not many might be aware of Uthappa’s early days as a hockey player and why did he switch to cricket?

“My father was an internationally renowned hockey umpire who also represented Karnataka. Once, when I went for the U16 sub-junior selection, I realized the path is going to be very smooth because everyone loved my father.

“In fact, during the selection day, there were very talented people who had come there, however they did not get selected,” Uthappa said on Sharechat’s online show CricChat.

“I felt really bad that day that these players were not selected even though they were better than me. I used to play as a full-back and I was selected as a stand-by, but I felt that these players were so talented, however, they did not get selected. That’s when I realised my journey will be easy,” he added.

Uthappa is someone who wanted to establish his image by his own deeds rather than climbing on his father’s shoulders and doing injustice to the deserved ones.

“I wanted to do something on my own. I loved and enjoyed hockey as it was a game of courage and perseverance but I thought the route would be an easy one and even if I succeed people would believe that has happened because of my father,” the 36-year-old said.

“So I went back to cricket, expecting to become successful through my hard work since my father had no connection with cricket,” he added.

Uthappa claimed the orange cap for the most runs in the 2014 IPL season, which was his debut for Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring 660 runs in 16 innings at 44 and a strike rate of 137.78.

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