Justin Langer's tips helped - Uthappa
On the sidelines of Karnataka's match against Saurashtra, where he scored a breezy hundred, he took time off to speak to Cricinfo
Anand Vasu in Rajkot
11-Jan-2007
There are some cases where a person is declared clinically dead, but comes back to life once again. Dr Raymond Moody has written a book - called Life after life - describing that experience, and the period that precedes the coming back to life. Robin Uthappa is reading that book at the moment. And it's oddly fitting, for after only three matches for India, he was jettisoned, and is now on the verge of making it back to the team, having spent a season piling on the runs for Karnataka. On the sidelines of Karnataka's match against Saurashtra, where he scored a breezy hundred, he took time off to speak to Cricinfo
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On playing for India and then coming back to domestic cricket
Being a part of the Indian team for a few months, though I only played three games, was very good. The experience on the field was exhilarating, and I learned quite a bit even off the field. Even from practice sessions, talking strategy and things like that, you pick up a lot, especially the work ethic. It's helped me in my game. I've learned to analyse my game much better now. I understand my body and my game much better, I know when I'm feeling good and going to score runs and other days when I have to work harder for my runs. On that front, the last couple of months have been very good.
Being a part of the Indian team for a few months, though I only played three games, was very good. The experience on the field was exhilarating, and I learned quite a bit even off the field. Even from practice sessions, talking strategy and things like that, you pick up a lot, especially the work ethic. It's helped me in my game. I've learned to analyse my game much better now. I understand my body and my game much better, I know when I'm feeling good and going to score runs and other days when I have to work harder for my runs. On that front, the last couple of months have been very good.
On the difference between international and domestic cricket
There is a significant difference between international cricket and domestic cricket. It's similar to the difference between Ranji Trophy cricket and under-19 cricket. As a batsman the number of bad balls that you get gets much less as you move from step to step, under-19 to Ranji to international cricket. The pressure is the big difference, and the intensity.
There is a significant difference between international cricket and domestic cricket. It's similar to the difference between Ranji Trophy cricket and under-19 cricket. As a batsman the number of bad balls that you get gets much less as you move from step to step, under-19 to Ranji to international cricket. The pressure is the big difference, and the intensity.
There's a certain expectation now that Uthappa will go out and blaze a trail every time he steps out to bat. How do you deal with that expectation?
Eventually it is up to each cricketer to know what his game is all about. At the end of the day you should feel that you gave 100% no matter what happened. It's pretty obvious that you can't succeed every time you go out to bat. What you need to think about is how to be successful consistently over a period of time. There is pressure from the expectation of people but that's not what you want to think about. Every cricketer wants to be successful and do well for his country. No-one walks out to bat thinking, "if it happens it happens, if it doesn't it's ok." Every player wants to do well each time he plays. I don't think of the pressure, rather I focus on the game, the situation, and how I want to go about doing what needs to be done.
Eventually it is up to each cricketer to know what his game is all about. At the end of the day you should feel that you gave 100% no matter what happened. It's pretty obvious that you can't succeed every time you go out to bat. What you need to think about is how to be successful consistently over a period of time. There is pressure from the expectation of people but that's not what you want to think about. Every cricketer wants to be successful and do well for his country. No-one walks out to bat thinking, "if it happens it happens, if it doesn't it's ok." Every player wants to do well each time he plays. I don't think of the pressure, rather I focus on the game, the situation, and how I want to go about doing what needs to be done.
Have you made changes to your approach this season?
I have been working on my approach since the Duleep Trophy where I got my first hundred. I was putting in effort to ensure that I stayed out there in the middle for twenty overs. I spoke to [VVS] Laxman and he underlined the fact that if I spent time at the crease I would get runs. I understood that if I have to play big cricket I need to make big runs, and for that I would have to spend time at the crease. So I had to change my approach. I didn't change the way I batted, but it was more about shot selection. I've also worked on my defence. These are the two things that I had to work on. I rotate the strike pretty well, so if I'm at the crease the scoreboard tends to tick over.
I have been working on my approach since the Duleep Trophy where I got my first hundred. I was putting in effort to ensure that I stayed out there in the middle for twenty overs. I spoke to [VVS] Laxman and he underlined the fact that if I spent time at the crease I would get runs. I understood that if I have to play big cricket I need to make big runs, and for that I would have to spend time at the crease. So I had to change my approach. I didn't change the way I batted, but it was more about shot selection. I've also worked on my defence. These are the two things that I had to work on. I rotate the strike pretty well, so if I'm at the crease the scoreboard tends to tick over.
I always knew I was batting well, even when I was dropped from the Indian side. I was middling the ball well, was on the top of my game and had nothing to complain about. But I wasn't spending enough time at the wicket
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When did you realise you needed to make changes in the way you played?
I always knew I was batting well, even when I was dropped from the Indian side. I was middling the ball well, was on the top of my game and had nothing to complain about. But I wasn't spending enough time at the wicket. I then decided that every time I went out to bat I would try and play 150 balls, which would amount to me staying at the crease 50 overs or more. That was the big goal for me. I spoke to Justin Langer about building an innings and then decided I had to break the innings up into smaller goals. Langer gave me some tips about preparing for an innings, what to do when in, how to plan towards lunch and then on.
I always knew I was batting well, even when I was dropped from the Indian side. I was middling the ball well, was on the top of my game and had nothing to complain about. But I wasn't spending enough time at the wicket. I then decided that every time I went out to bat I would try and play 150 balls, which would amount to me staying at the crease 50 overs or more. That was the big goal for me. I spoke to Justin Langer about building an innings and then decided I had to break the innings up into smaller goals. Langer gave me some tips about preparing for an innings, what to do when in, how to plan towards lunch and then on.
In your words, what is your strength, the role you can best play?
I like the responsibility of the team on me. Right from my school days when I played for St. Joseph Boys, I've always enjoyed the pressure of doing well for the team. I like to perform under pressure. Going in to bat opening the innings, the aim is obviously to lay a foundation - whether that is 30 off 10 balls or 100 off 120 balls. The key is that the openers need to give the side a good platform.
I like the responsibility of the team on me. Right from my school days when I played for St. Joseph Boys, I've always enjoyed the pressure of doing well for the team. I like to perform under pressure. Going in to bat opening the innings, the aim is obviously to lay a foundation - whether that is 30 off 10 balls or 100 off 120 balls. The key is that the openers need to give the side a good platform.
Karnataka has produced quite a few Indian cricketers who have gone on and been successful at the highest level. Have you had a chance to spend much time talking to your seniors?
The seniors would always make it a point to come around when we had practice. They were always around to have a word. I've spoken to Rahul [Dravid], Anil [Kumble], Venky [Venkatesh Prasad], Sri [Javagal Srinath] ... all of them as I was growing up. They've always spoken to us about how it was up to the youngsters to fill their boots at the Ranji Trophy level, and do Karnataka proud. As a team we've worked really hard this season - Venky has been phenomenal as a coach and in motivating us. We've trained hard, practiced hard, and there has been real passion for Karnataka in this team. That is paying off now.
The seniors would always make it a point to come around when we had practice. They were always around to have a word. I've spoken to Rahul [Dravid], Anil [Kumble], Venky [Venkatesh Prasad], Sri [Javagal Srinath] ... all of them as I was growing up. They've always spoken to us about how it was up to the youngsters to fill their boots at the Ranji Trophy level, and do Karnataka proud. As a team we've worked really hard this season - Venky has been phenomenal as a coach and in motivating us. We've trained hard, practiced hard, and there has been real passion for Karnataka in this team. That is paying off now.
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Any selection is a byproduct of a person doing well. If you're doing well and performing, the recognition that this kid is good and doing well takes you to the next level. I've been there
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There's quite a buzz going around with some important selection meetings round the corner. Has that been on your mind?
Any selection is a byproduct of a person doing well. If you're doing well and performing, the recognition that this kid is good and doing well takes you to the next level. I've been there. I know I can perform and that I have the potential to play international cricket. I believe in my ability and I know that if I perform in domestic cricket consistently it will come off. In the past I've made the mistake of thinking too far into the future. I don't do it any more. I now take it just one day at a time, not even looking a few days ahead. I control what I can control, what is beyond me I don't really think about.
Any selection is a byproduct of a person doing well. If you're doing well and performing, the recognition that this kid is good and doing well takes you to the next level. I've been there. I know I can perform and that I have the potential to play international cricket. I believe in my ability and I know that if I perform in domestic cricket consistently it will come off. In the past I've made the mistake of thinking too far into the future. I don't do it any more. I now take it just one day at a time, not even looking a few days ahead. I control what I can control, what is beyond me I don't really think about.
You've now had the chance to play a full season of domestic cricket. What are the advantages in doing so?
There are a lot of advantages in playing domestic cricket. Obviously when you do well in under-19 cricket for India you are keen and eager to make it to the next level and you want to play for India. But you learn a lot playing domestic cricket. The initial years are often tough for a cricketer, getting to know your team-mates, you learn all those small points that make a huge difference. All that plays a big role. Once you play more and more cricket you learn about your game and learn to analyse it yourself, to the point that you don't have to run to your coach at the end of each game. Playing domestic cricket brings out the maturity of a player and shows his class.
There are a lot of advantages in playing domestic cricket. Obviously when you do well in under-19 cricket for India you are keen and eager to make it to the next level and you want to play for India. But you learn a lot playing domestic cricket. The initial years are often tough for a cricketer, getting to know your team-mates, you learn all those small points that make a huge difference. All that plays a big role. Once you play more and more cricket you learn about your game and learn to analyse it yourself, to the point that you don't have to run to your coach at the end of each game. Playing domestic cricket brings out the maturity of a player and shows his class.
When you began the season did you actually think you would end the Super League phase with more than 800 first-class runs?
I set some goals for myself at the start of the season and I think I've lived up to them. Having represented India from Karnataka I realised it was for me to stand up and perform in each game in the Ranji Trophy.
I set some goals for myself at the start of the season and I think I've lived up to them. Having represented India from Karnataka I realised it was for me to stand up and perform in each game in the Ranji Trophy.
As a strokemaker, there's always the chance that you will fail. How do you deal with this?
When you're a batsman who plays a lot of shots you will know when you are playing well and when you are not. There are days when you can bat really well and get out after making twenty and there will be the days when you're not playing so well but will still end up with a hundred. The days when you're struggling you have to back yourself and back your instincts and feed off your self belief. You have to put your life into everything you do on the field, especially batting, and it will pay off.
When you're a batsman who plays a lot of shots you will know when you are playing well and when you are not. There are days when you can bat really well and get out after making twenty and there will be the days when you're not playing so well but will still end up with a hundred. The days when you're struggling you have to back yourself and back your instincts and feed off your self belief. You have to put your life into everything you do on the field, especially batting, and it will pay off.
There's high energy about your batting. But you seem to be a fairly relaxed person off the field. What's your mindset like?
I tend to switch on and switch off quite a lot. I'm naturally an intense person, but I realised, after playing international cricket, that you have to be intense only in brief periods. At all other times you have to relax. It helps a lot if you can switch off and switch on because it prolongs the period you can concentrate for, and in turn prolongs your innings.
I tend to switch on and switch off quite a lot. I'm naturally an intense person, but I realised, after playing international cricket, that you have to be intense only in brief periods. At all other times you have to relax. It helps a lot if you can switch off and switch on because it prolongs the period you can concentrate for, and in turn prolongs your innings.
Anand Vasu is assistant editor of Cricinfo