Robin Uthappa not to open anymore

BANGALORE: After missing out on a Team India berth during the recent short tour of Zimbabwe due to a shoulder injury, hard-hitting batsman Robin Uthappa is all set to relaunch his career in a new avatar — as a full-time wicketkeeper cum middle-order batsman.
Uthappa, who underwent surgery in England in June, is on the recovery path and is focused on winning back the national jersey at the earliest.
"I know I will be used as a floater if I get into the Indian team. So I have decided to relinquish my opening slot in all formats of the game. It is better to prepare well under match situations before performing such a role in the big league. So I am looking forward to the upcoming domestic season, particularly the Ranji season," reasoned Uthappa , who will back in action for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the upcoming Champions League T20 after a fourmonth injury layoff.
Uthappa, who lit up the last IPL with some stormy knocks and brutal hitting down the order , almost made it to the Indian team with that sensational show.
"I was told that the (national ) selectors enquired about my fitness status with the NCA physio before picking up the team for the Zimbabwe triseries. Unfortunately, I had to undergo the surgery and I missed a golden opportunity. I also realize the importance to adapt to requirements of the national team and the need to make sacrifices," said the 25-year-old , who will resume fullfledged batting at the nets in a week’s time.
However, he has already started working on another aspect of the game. "I am taking up wicketkeeping quite seriously and will be doing the 'keeping job at the State level in all limited-over formats. "I had injured my little finger on the right hand during the 2007 World Cup.
I was protecting it till now while on the field. But now I have done a reconstruction of the finger through surgery as I am taking up the 'keeping job," added Uthappa, who is taking valuable tips from NCA fielding coach R Sridhar and former Karnataka stumper Somashekhar Shirugippi.
With RCB not naming specialist stumper Mark Boucher in the 20-man probable squad for the Champions League, Uthappa is set to retain the job behind the stumps.
"My aim is to perform well and get back to the national team for the home series against Australia," he says.