Robin Uthappa is determined to build upon his return to form and win more games for Kolkata Knight Riders.
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The 29-year-old opener, who topped the batting charts with 660 runs in 16 games in Kolkata’s title run last season, had to endure a poor start which saw him score 70 runs in the first four matches this season.
However, with scores of 34, 39 and 80 not out in his last three games, Uthappa has bounced back to once again emerge the leading run-getter for his side with 223 from seven matches.
His best knock of the season came against Chennai Super Kings at the Eden Gardens on Thursday when he carried his bat as Kolkata notched an emphatic seven-wicket victory to rise to the third spot.
If Robin Uthappa scores runs, it means it has been an aesthetically pleasing day #KKRvsCSK #PepsiIPL
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 30, 2015
As Kolkata head for a tough challenge against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Chinnaswamy Stadium today, Uthappa is keen on playing the lead role again.
Attributing his slow start to acclimatisation since he had been playing first-class cricket before the IPL, Uthappa believes he is hitting the straps again after his performance against Chennai.
“I have just come back from playing Ranji Trophy, so you don’t set yourself up for T20 immediately after that. We did not play any practice games, so it took a little time to get off the blocks. I had to make a little tweak to my technique as well,” he told iplt20.com.
“I was hitting the ball well since the first game but I wasn’t really converting those starts. That began to pinch me a little bit. But I am happy with the way I finished the game (against Chennai). It is very satisfying and feels extremely good. I know that I need to keep doing it.
“That is my job—to be able to hold one end up for my team, be that pil- lar for my side and make sure I am there right till the end when you finish games. And you need to make sure that those performances are meaningful and contribute to the team’s victory.”
Kolkata hold a slight edge over Bangalore having eight won of their 15 meetings against RCB.
