Bengaluru: Swashbuckling batsman Robin Uthappa on Wednesday retired from all forms of international and Indian cricket.
The 36-year-old 2007 T20 World Cup winner obtained a no-objection certificate (NOC) from Kerala, the last state he played for in domestic cricket, and will be free to take up assignments in overseas T20 leagues and “charting a new phase in my life”.
“It has been my greatest honour to represent my country and my state, Karnataka. However, all good things must come to an end, and with a grateful heart, I have decided to retire from all forms of Indian cricket. Thank you all,” Uthappa wrote on Twitter and attached a note thanking everyone concerned with his career.
It has been my greatest honour to represent my country and my state, Karnataka. However, all good things must come to an end, and with a grateful heart, I have decided to retire from all forms of Indian cricket.
Thank you all ❤️ pic.twitter.com/GvWrIx2NRs
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) September 14, 2022
Uthappa became a household name in India after contributing to India’s win over Pakistan in their league clash in the inaugural T20 World Cup, held in South Africa in 2007. Uthappa top-scored with 50 to help India post 141/9. Pakistan also managed 141/7, and the match went into a bowl-out.
Skipper MS Dhoni chose Harbhajan Singh, along with non-regular bowlers Uthappa and Virender Sehwag to do the job for the team, and all of them hit the stumps, while all three Pakistani players missed the mark.
India and Pakistan faced each other again in the final, with Dhoni’s men pipping the green brigade by 5 runs in an exciting contest.
That was Uthappa’s high point in a career in which he played 46 ODIs and 13 T20 Internationals.
He had a rewarding IPL career, winning the prestigious title with Kolkata Knight Riders (2014) and Chennai Super Kings (2021). He also excelled in domestic cricket for Karnataka.
