The ILT20 league is all set to be played in January and February 2023. With the signings of several superstar T20 cricketers from across the globe, the league is catching the attention of cricket fans. But the signing of Robin Uthappa is a lot more significant.
Indian cricketers usually don’t feature in any foreign leagues. That’s why watching any Indian player in any league (other than the IPL) is always a big surprise. The veteran Indian wicket-keeper batter surprised everyone by confirming his signing by the Dubai Capitals franchise.
As classy as it gets at Dubai Capitals 😍
Here's welcoming 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐞 to our family, now eager to see a few dancing down-the-track shots at the Dubai International 🏟️#ILT20 #ALeagueApart #DubaiCapitals #CapitalsUniverse #GMRGroup #GMRSports | @robbieuthappa pic.twitter.com/XBLfgkGfFo
— Dubai Capitals (@Dubai_Capitals) December 15, 2022
A Look At Uthappa’s Cricketing Career
The right-hander made his International debut for team India in 2006. His last outing in national colours was back in 2015. In his 9-year International career, Uthappa featured in 46 ODIs and 13 T20 Internationals. In these 59 matches, he scored 1185 runs with the help of 7 half-centuries. The highlight of his International career is his 39-ball 50 against Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2007.
Talking about his IPL journey, he has played more than 200 (205 to be precise) IPL matches. Robin has walked out to bat 197 times and is just 48 shy of getting 200 runs in the Indian Premier League. With the help of the 27 fifties, these runs have come at an average of 27.51 and a strike rate of 130.35.
His Desire to Play In T20 Leagues Around the World
The former Indian cricketer wanted to participate in different leagues in the past. However, he wasn’t allowed due to BCCI’s policy of not allowing active players to participate in any league other than the IPL. But, as Uthappa retired from International cricket and the IPL in September 2022, he now has the chance to fulfill his wish. The first league that he has chosen is the UAE T20 league.
Here’s how he reflected on his signing:
“It is something I wanted to do [play in overseas T20 leagues]. Now that I have retired it gives me the opportunity. I consider myself a student of the game. So I will only be enriching my own knowledge and experience and information about the game when I go and play in different conditions in the world. Tomorrow if I want to be a coach, I should have some kind of stand when I am having a conversation with the lads. I believe all these experiences will add value to that.”
He also talked about his desire to play in more T20 competitions, apart from the ILT20. He said:
“I am hoping I will [now] be able to go to different parts of the world and play the leagues, not just Dubai, even outside the subcontinent – hopefully South Africa next year, England (The Hundred), Australia (BBL) and the Caribbean (CPL). It gives me the access to improve myself, even try to grow my horizons as a human being as well, experience different cultures, places and people.”
