Indian wicket-keeper batsman Robin Uthappa turns a year older on Monday (November 11, 2019). Hailing from Karnataka, the batsman celebrates his 34th birthday. Uthappa is a popular name in the Indian cricket as he has been plundering big runs in the domestic circuit. The batsman is an impeccable timer of the ball and his lofted shot over the cover region is a sheer delight to any eye. Uthappa is a handy wicket-keeper as well and has donned the gloves for over a decade in the Indian Premier League. The veteran has also represented India at the highest level and has even played some match-defining knocks. Robbin Uthappa Wears Face Mask During RR vs KKR IPL 2019 Match Following Dust Storm in Jaipur.

Uthappa made his ODI debut way back in 2006 and immediately proved his mettle by mustering a half-century in his maiden ODI innings. He was also part of India's squad in the 2007 World Cup and the inaugural World T20. With the start he got, the batsman looked all set to take giant strides in international cricket. However, a dip in form and rise of players like Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina became the reason for his ouster from the Indian team. Nevertheless, he continued to perform consistently in the domestic matches and IPL, and also bagged the orange cap in the 2014 season of the Indian Premier League. So, on the occasion of Uthappa's 34th birthday, let's look at his five best knocks.

 86 Against England in Indore

As mentioned above, the batsman announced his arrival in his maiden ODI innings. While chasing 289 in the 7th ODI of England's 2006 Tour of India, Uthappa opened the innings for the hosts and gave them specular start. He smashed the likes of James Anderson and Liam Plunkett in order to register his first international half-century. His knock put India on the driver's seat and the Men in Blue clinched the match by seven wickets.

47* Against England in London

Uthappa continued his love affair with the English bowlers in India's 2007 Tour of England. In the sixth ODI of the series, the visitors were chasing 317 runs for victory and Uthappa came into bat at number seven. Batting with the tail-enders, the right-handed batsman played a calculated cameo and brought his side back in the match. In the last over the innings, he smashed Stuart Broad for two boundaries and guided India to a two-wicket victory.

50 Against Pakistan in Durban

The Indian openers were dismissed for low scores in the high-voltage clash against the arch-rivals in the 2007 World T20. However, Uthappa, who came into bat at number three, didn't put his guards down and valiantly tackled the Pakistani bowlers. He mustered his maiden T20I half-century and helped India to post 141 in the first innings. In reply, the opposition managed to level the scores after their 20 overs and the match was to be decided via bowl out. Uthappa shined in that department too as he was one of the three Indian bowlers to hit the stumps which gave India victory.

83 Against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Kolkata

The veteran enjoyed a sensational run IPL 2014. However, his best performance in the tournament came against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Opening the innings for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the batsman attacked the bowlers from the outset and have his side a blistering start. Bowlers like Mitchell Starc and Yuzvendra Chahal failed to restrict the batsman as he brought up his highest score of the season and powered KKR to a score of 195 in the first innings. The effort proved to be fruitful as the Kolkata-based side clinched the match by 30 runs.

87 Against Rising Pune Supergiants in Pune

Another Robin Uthappa special came against Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) in IPL 2017. Chasing a target of 183, Uthappa came into bat at number three and looked at his prime. He stitched a crucial partnership with skipper Gautam Gambhir and turned the match into KKR's favour. The wicket-keeper also brought up his highest IPL score and guided his teamto a comprehensive victory by seven wickets.

After serving Karnataka cricket for over a decade in domestic cricket, Uthappa moved to Saurashtra in 2017 before further moving to Kerela in 2019. Apart from that, the batsman has also donned the commentator's hat and has been the part of the expert panel in several matches.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 11, 2019 07:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).