Robin Venu Uthappa (born 11 November 1985 in Kodagu, Karnataka) is an Indian cricketer. His father is Venu Uthappa, an international hockey referee from Kodagu, Karnataka, mother Roselyn is a home maker and hails from Kozhikode, Kerala and his sister Sharon is a business owner. He made his One Day International debut in the seventh and final match of the English tour of India in April 2006. He had a successful debut, making 86 as an opening batsman before being run out. It was the highest score for any Indian debutant in a limited overs match. He is also named ‘The Walking Assassin” for his tactic of charging the bowler.
Uthappa first came to the public’s attention when he made 66 for India B against India A in the Challenger Trophy in 2005. The following year, in the same tournament, Uthappa made matchwinning 93-ball 100 against the same team which propelled him in the big league. Previously, he had been a member of the India under-19 team that won the Asia Cup. Once a wicketkeeper-batsman, his List A batting average of near 40 with a strike rate of approximately 90 has made him regarded as something of a limited overs cricket specialist.
He was recalled to the ODI side in January 2007 for the series against the West Indies where he scored a quick 28 in the first game followed by an equally quick 70 in the second game. He didn’t play in the other two games.
