Robin Uthappa Reflects on 2007 T20 World Cup Memories in South Africa
Nostalgic Moments from the 2007 T20 World Cup
Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa, who is currently in South Africa for the commentary of the fourth season of SA20, shared his fond memories from the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup. He particularly recalled his performance and the memorable 'bowl out' against Pakistan during the group stage.
Revisiting the 2007 Triumph in Durban
Speaking to the media in Durban, the venue of the iconic India-Pakistan match from the T20 World Cup, Uthappa reflected on his significant contribution of a 39-ball fifty, which helped India reach a total of 141/9. The match ended in a tie, leading to a 'bowl out' to determine the winner, where players aimed at the stumps without any batters present. Uthappa successfully hit the stumps and celebrated by bowing to the crowd while circling around. He expressed, "Durban evokes many memories for me. I often think back to 2007. Each time I visit, I glance at that dressing room and remember the incredible moments we shared. It was truly special."
Regarding the bowl-out against Pakistan, Uthappa mentioned that he had revisited the pitch before the upcoming SA20 match and reminisced about that historic moment, which has since been replaced by the Super Over format. He noted, "I was on the pitch today, reflecting on the time I bowled during the bowl-out against Pakistan. It was a lot of fun, and we prepared extensively for it, which is often overlooked. I believe we were better prepared than the opposing team that night."
Uthappa's Performance Statistics
During the T20 World Cup, Uthappa accumulated 113 runs across six innings, averaging 18.83 with a strike rate of 113, including his fifty against Pakistan. India ultimately clinched the title by defeating Pakistan in a thrilling final.
In his T20I career, Uthappa played 13 matches, scoring 249 runs in 12 innings with an average of 24.90 and a strike rate of 118.00, including one fifty. His international career spanned from 2006 to 2015, during which he participated in 46 ODIs, amassing 934 runs in 42 innings at an average of 25.94, with a strike rate exceeding 90, including six fifties and a top score of 86.
Impressive IPL Achievements
Although Uthappa had limited opportunities with the national team, he established himself as a formidable player in the IPL, scoring 4,952 runs in 205 matches with an average of 27.51 and a strike rate of 130, including 27 fifties and a highest score of 88. He won IPL titles with both Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), notably scoring 660 runs in 16 matches during KKR's championship season, which earned him the 'Orange Cap'.