Published: Apr 20, 2016, 02:04 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 20, 2016, 02:04 PM (IST)
Robin Uthappa was awarded the Man of the Match award for his match-winning innings as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in Match 13 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016. Uthappa scored 53 off 28 balls with 9 fours as KKR won by 6 wickets with nearly 3 overs to spare. After restricting KXIP to a mere 138, openers Uthappa and skipper Gautam Gambhir put on 82 in less than 9 overs to ensure that KKR would go on to win the match. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Kings XI Punjab vs Kolkata Knight Riders , Live Score, 13th T20 Match, IPL 2016
Speaking after the match to iplt20.com, Uthappa said that his good innings had a lot to do with how he feels while batting. “I think a lot goes with feeling about the way I bat. I feel very sorted, very clear in my head what my game plan is. As far as technique is concerned I feel…very confident about my game. There are no doubts, so there is a huge sense of clarity in my head and I feel very confident when I go out to bat.” READ: KKR cruise to 6-wicket win against KXIP, IPL 2016, match 13 at Mohali
Uthappa elaborated saying, “I am not worried about if my technique is okay or not because I am constantly feeling good because I have worked on my technique. I continue to work on my technique and my batting so I am feeling good all the time. That’s something that I am grateful for and things are going well and it’s not broken so I am not trying to fix anything. I am continuing to do what I am doing and it’s working for me.”
Speaking about KKR’s success over the last few years, Uthappa said that much had to do with maintaining a core. “It’s the fact that we have not changed too much. We stick to the same core. I think credit must be give to the franchise for picking the right kind of combination which helps us pick bowlers – which includes a couple of all-rounders – which work in our favour; it is a huge cushion to have. We are spoilt for choices where picking the XI is concerned, so kudos to the selection by the franchise.”
While talking about his improving wicketkeeping, Uthappa said, “I think that the rustiness is all wearing off from my ‘keeping. I haven’t been ‘keeping on a regular basis and I tend to practice a month before the IPL begins. So it’s about match practice. There is nothing as good as match practice. I think I am getting better with each game. So I am grateful for that.”
