Former Team India and Karnataka cricketer Robin Uthappa recently opened up about a difficult period in his career, revealing how his comments about earning a spot on the Test team were taken out of context, leading to a rift with his teammates, including Karun Nair.
In a candid interview, Uthappa shared that he was feeling frustrated about not being considered for a Test cap despite performing well. During a conversation, he made a generic statement about Test caps being given away too easily and that players should earn their spot. However, a section of the media and a teammate allegedly twisted his words, leading to the perception that his comments were aimed at Karun Nair, who was close to making his Test debut at the time.
“Someone from our team took that piece of the interview and told Karun Nair that I had said it about him. Karun Nair, who was like a younger brother, alienated me at that time because he was close to getting a Test cap. He didn’t check with me and believed it,” Uthappa explained.
He added that the media, particularly in Bombay, amplified the misrepresentation, creating an “organized attack” against him. Uthappa, who had become a voice for the players, felt a “sour taste” from the incident. He even offered to quit the team if anyone believed he was trying to break it, but no one came forward. The emotional toll of the incident was significant, and he noted that his performances also suffered afterward.