Personal Agenda with Robin

A part of the Mumbai Indians in the 2008 IPL, Robin Uthappa is now looking forward to playing the same from the Royal Challengers. Veenu Singh talks to the cricketer.

His tryst with the cricket bat started when, at age four, he got a plastic bat to play with. As Robin Uthappa, son of Venu, an international hockey referee, says, it brought him a lot of joy.

HT Image

However, prior to playing cricket on a serious note, Robin played tennis for as long as eighteen months. A useful member of the India under-19 team that won the Asia Cup, Uthappa first caught the eye when he made a brilliant 66 in a losing cause for India B against India A in the Challenger Trophy in Mumbai in 2005.

But it was in the subsequent edition of the same tournament, in Mohali in 2006, where he cracked a matchwinning 93-ball 100 for India B against an India A team that had seen a ton from VVS Laxman, that Uthappa really arrived in the big league.

Robin idolises Sachin Tendulkar and his dream is to play Test cricket as much as possible. A part of the Mumbai Indians in the 2008 IPL, Robin is now looking forward to playing the same from the Royal Challengers, Bangalore side followed by the ICC Championship too.

What are you reading?

Seeing the Sunrise by Justin Langer.

Fun to you is…

Driving in Bangalore on an empty road (ha ha).

If you were invisible for a day, you would…

Spend the whole day naked.

Your worst date ever?

I don’t think I have had a bad date ever.

The one invention you’re really waiting for?

Something that will help people learn lane discipline in India.

Are you a morning person or night person?

I’m a complete morning person, I can be up as early as 4 am.

Slim or voluptuous?

Voluptuous.

Your idea of a perfect meal?

Nice Chinese food topped with some fantastic dessert.

Who do you think your partner has a crush on?

Let me first find out then I’ll let you know too.

Your retirement dream?

Once I finish playing cricket, I would be happy to just be a house husband.

The one fashion trend you just don’t understand?

Anorexic women.

Weekend at a wellness spa or weekend at a luxury beach resort?

Well, it all depends on who I am with.

What are you addicted to?

According to my mom, it’s my mobile!

Three people from history you’d like to meet?

Jesus, David and Samson as all of them are highly inspiring people.

Five personal care products you can’t do without?

My Dunhill perfume, hair oil, toothbrush, toothpaste and my trimmer.

Rate in the order of importance: Fame, power and money?

None of them are important for me.

The place you really want to visit and why?

Leh and Ladakh as I have heard a lot about them.

Which film’s hero do you most identify with?

Sylvester Stallone in

Rocky

.

Ethnic wear or western wear?

I believe in doing justice to both.

The naughtiest thing you’ve ever done (as an adult)?

To be honest, I have played pranks on everybody but nothing that could be termed extremely naughty in that sense of the word.

The one food you can never say no to?

Chocolates and brownies

Your favourite cartoon character and why?

Jerry. He’s very cute and mischievous too.

Your next move?
Getting ready for the IPL and looking forward to the ICC Championship and to selecting the ‘First ball ka champion’ for it.