Robin Uthappa bids adieu to Karnataka Ranji team

  Photo: AFP New Delhi: Kolkata Knight Riders wicketkeeper-batsman and Karnataka Ranji team player Robin Uthappa is set to play for Kerala in the upcoming season after obtaining NOC (No Objection Certificate) from Karnataka State Cricket Association. Uthappa ended his 15-year long association with Karnataka state team. He was part the side since making his first-class debut in 2002 as a 17-year-old. The Kartnataka State Cricket Association made several attempts to hold back the flamboyant batsman but he had already made his mind to part ways. The 31-year-old made just 6 appearances for Karnataka in the previous Ranji season, which is believed to be the main reason behind Uthappa’s departure. Uthappa played 130 first-class matches, scoring 8793 runs with 21 hundreds and 48 fifties. The wicketkeeper-batsman helped Karnataka clinch Ranji Trophy title with impressive performance in 2013/14 and 2014/15. He was also part of India’s T20 World Cup winning team in 2007 and played a key role.