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When Birthday Boy Robin Uthappa Smacked Match-Winning 47 vs ENG In Historic Clash

image-lotrgzoxRobin Uthappa played with maturity beyond his age (Twitter)

As former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa celebrates his 38th birthday on Saturday, November 11, it's a perfect time to relive one of his most memorable innings that etched his name in Indian cricket history.

Throwback to Robin Uthappa's series-levelling 47* vs England in 2007

Among his many memorable performances, the knock against England in the 6th ODI at The Oval in 2007 stands out as proof of his cricketing brilliance and ability to perform under pressure.

The 2007 tour of England was significant for India, marking their first Test series win on English soil in 21 years. However, the One-Day International (ODI) series didn't start as well, with India trailing 1-3 in the seven-match series. A turnaround was witnessed in the 5th ODI at Leeds, setting the stage for the crucial 6th ODI at The Oval.

Batting first, England piled up a massive 317 runs, thanks to a stellar century from Owais Shah and Dimitri Mascarenhas's explosive assault on Yuvraj Singh, hitting five consecutive sixes. India's response began strongly, with Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly putting up a 150-run opening stand. However, the dismissal of openers, followed by Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singha, and Rahul Dravid left India in a dismal position at 234/5.

It was then that Uthappa stepped up to the challenge. Joining forces with MS Dhoni, Uthappa played a calculated yet aggressive innings. He balanced the need to keep the scoreboard ticking while finding the boundary at crucial intervals. His partnership with Dhoni brought India closer to the target, but the stumper's wicket brought a new twist to the tale. With 24 runs needed off the last two overs, the pressure was evident.


Uthappa rose to the occasion in these final moments. His ability to dance down the track and find the boundary against James Anderson kept India in the game. The penultimate over was a rollercoaster, ending with the unfortunate run-out of Ajit Agarkar. 

With 10 needed off the last six balls, the tension was at its peak. Uthappa, alongside Zaheer Khan, managed a risky double. However, on the next ball, Uthappa couldn’t put away Broad’s yorker which led to Zaheer's run-out, further thickening the plot.

Unflinched, Uthappa's strategic placement for a boundary in the fine-leg region brought the equation down to a nail-biting four runs needed off three balls. Demonstrating nerves of steel, Uthappa elegantly drove the next delivery towards mid-off, clinching the match for India with his unbeaten 33-ball 47. This victory not only levelled the series but also gave the Men in Blue a shot at winning it.