Uthappa: I should be India's opening batsman

India

Former India batsman Robin Uthappa feels his performances in recent months, and in the IPL, have helped his cause as he pushed for a return to international cricket, saying he is the solution to India's opener issues.

Former India batsman Robin Uthappa feels his performances in recent months, and in the IPL, have helped his cause as he pushed for a return to international cricket, saying he is the solution to India's opener issues.

Uthappa last played for India in March 2012, in a T20, and last played an ODI in 2008. But he's been immense for Kolkata in the IPL this season, scoring a string of 40-plus scores to push them into play-off contention.

India's opening slots, in all formats, have become a bit of a merry-go-round, with Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag both seemingly discarded, leaving Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Murali Vijay and others to fight for the spots. Uthappa believes he is the solution to that problem.

Uthappa told the <i>Times of India</i>: "I have made changes in my setup and my initial movements. This has helped me improve my shot selection and my footwork a lot. Pravin sir )Pravin Amre) had a very positive influence on my game.

"There are a lot of things that we have worked on with regard to my technique, approach to the game etc. and I can feel the improvement that he has brought and the results are there for everyone to see.

"I have definitely missed contributing to the success of our team in the last few years and as far as the hunger is concerned, I believe my performances are speaking on my behalf.

"And I do believe that I am the opening batsman that the team is looking for and am confident that I am going to contribute a lot to the country's success in the future."

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