Ahead of the Indian Premier League, TIMES NOW's Correspondent Mikhail Vaswani caught up with Robin Uthappa, who is sporting a new hairstyle ahead of the League. Robin Uthappa, spoke about his new look, on playing for Mumbai and opening with Sachin Tendulkar.
Mikhail: First straight to your hairstyle. What is with the new hairstyle, who suggested it and is it the IPL special?
Uthappa: Well you could say that. It is something couple of friends and I were discussing when went to a jungle to take a break. So, this is something that I thought I should just try and I think its worked a bit.
Mikhail: Bangalorean boy playing for Mumbai Indians. Missed out on playing for Bangalore?
Uthappa: Well not really. It is pleasing to know that people around the country really like the way I play and everyone wants to have me in their side. So, its very comforting and encouraging feeling to know that the kind of cricketer I am is appreciated. I am looking forward to play for Mumbai. I have a lot of friends who have played a lot of cricket here. I play for my corporate team as well over here. So, I know all the boys here and I know how they play. They are tough cricketers who are professional and play their cricket very hard so, I am looking forward to the IPL.
Mikhail: But the Royal Challengers were disappointed. They said we couldn't get Robin Uthappa, we were trying for him. Clearly they wanted you in the side, it would have been a heartening sight for them as well.
Uthappa: It would have been amazing to play alongside Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble and players that they have with all my team mates who play for the Karnataka state. It would have been good to play for Bangalore but as of now my loyalties lie in Mumbai. I am grateful to Vijay Mallya for saying those kind words about me.
Mikhail: Much is said about Sanath Jayasuriya and Sachin Tendulkar opening the innings. You have opened with Sachin in the ODI's will you miss out to open along with him in the shorter format of the game?
Uthappa: I am happy doing it in the slightly longer version. I enjoy it, Sachin is fantastic to bat along with. You can just learn so much batting with him. In those 2-3 games that I opened with him, I learnt so much from Sachin. Just batting with him, being around him helps us to learn the game. When he talks, its cricket Bible. You know then that you can take his words and you know its true.
(Interviewed by Mikhail Vaswani)
