 I will perform well and get into the longer version of the game: Uthappa
5th Jun 2008 18:00 IST
Agencies
After floating in the top and middle orders for quite a while, Robin Uthappa is now desperate for a permanent slot in the ODI line-up, which, he believes, would facilitate his Test inclusion as well.
Uthappa said although he has earned his stripes as an attacking batsman, he had the requisite patience and technique to break into the Test team as well and he was aiming to make the cut by next season.
"In one-day matches I was batting up and down the order. I did not get a regular spot and if I could get a regular spot, hopefully I will perform well and get into the longer version of the game," Uthappa said in Kochi today.
"I am hoping by the end of this year or probably the next season," he said.
Uthappa agrees Test cricket poses altogether a new challenge but believes he would need only minor adjustments to fit into the format.
"Test cricket is a different ball game and the only thing is that you have to make some minor adjustments in your shot selection," he said.
"If one is able to chose his shot selection, nothing prevents him from performing in Test cricket," added the batsman who played for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.
Uthappa dismissed suggestion that he was too attacking for Test cricket and cited the example of hard-hitting Australian duo of Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden, who have done equally well in the longer version.
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