'I'm happy with my contribution'

Robin Uthappa, with a price tag of US$800,000, is one of the more valuable players in the Indian Premier League. His pay packet is almost double that of Ricky Ponting.

But Uthappa is not interested in comparing numbers. For him, and India, he affirms, the focus is entirely on their next CB Series match, against Australia at the SCG. "I don't ask you what you earn so neither should anyone", is the reply when asked if he's happy to have netted a higher sum than the Australian captain. "I can tell you that we are focused on the games here and not thinking about anything else."

During a practice session, Uthappa was seen having what looked like an intense discussion with Sachin Tendulkar, who has become a sort of batting coach for the younger players in the side till Gary Kirsten assumes the coach's role on March 1. Uthappa said Tendulkar was making certain observations about his technique, and pointing out areas he felt needed working on. "We spoke about my back lift and my positioning while playing the shot."

In a batting order that is still a work in progress, Uthappa is yet to determine his position. Having batted up the order and down at No. 7, Uthappa, a regular opener at domestic level, has his hands full trying to understand his role and adjust his game to various situations. In the CB Series he has had scores of 5, 0 not out, 18 and 10. The first three came from No. 7, the last, against Sri Lanka, from No. 3. That innings seemed an ideal one for him to build a big score, but he was run out. Uthappa isn't cursing his fate, though.

"Yes, in the end runs are your confidence. I've batted well and I'm trying my best to occupy the crease. It's just that I'm not getting enough runs".

In 2007 Uthappa found the belief he'd been desperately looking for during in his formative years. He played a couple of defining innings, including a blistering knock against England at The Oval. On that occasion, with India down 2-3 in the seven-match series, Uthappa came in lower down but slipped into harness easily. He counterattacked the England seamers and along with Mahendra Singh Dhoni robbed England of what seemed certain victory.

"It's very important to keep an open mind," Uthappa says, of the need to slot as required into a fluid batting line-up. "It's a matter of confidence.

"When you bat at Nos. 6 or 7, the situation is already is set: you know what you have to do. When you bat at No. 3, you have the build an innings. It's about understanding the role, and I guess I'm doing well."

Throughout his tenure Dhoni has asked one thing of his players: understand your responsibility, because your captain can't do that job for you. The good thing for the likes of Uthappa and his younger team-mates is that their captain has never been short on patience. And he has led by example.

"If Dhoni can adapt and change his batting, anyone can do it," Uthappa says, speaking of how his captain has successfully curbed his attacking instincts to offer reliability in the middle order.

Until he arrived in Australia, the England trip had been Uthappa's biggest. But now he agrees the tri-series is a must on a player's CV because "this tour is the best tour in terms of learning". So what has he learned so far?

"I've become a better reader of conditions," he says. "In the game against Australia in Adelaide, after Dhoni got out and I had only the tail for support, I decided to go on an all-out attack. I thought I would take a chance in the middle of an over and then just work it around. I trusted the tailenders, but I faltered there perhaps".

Uthappa says he has learned from that episode. In hindsight, he says, the correct approach would have been for him to stretch his innings as close to the end as possible. But he is not looking back in regret. "I'm happy with the contribution I've made," he says. "It's about the way you think as a batsman. If you feel you are batting well and trust your abilities, you will stay in good touch.