BENGALURU: Two years after retiring from cricket, Karnataka-born former Indian cricketer, and recent expat to Dubai, Robin Uthappa, has been in the news recently over an alleged case of Provident Fund fraud. Uthappa clarified that he did not play an executive role and was not involved in the day-to-day operations. Days before the controversy broke out, Uthappa spoke to CE at the SOG Grandmasters Series’ South 1 Zonal Finals held at Sheraton Grand, Whitefield.
Since retirement in 2022 and his move to Dubai in 2023, Uthappa has juggled many hats as a cricket commentator, certified life coach, YouTuber, and mental health advocate. Sharing the secret to keeping all the balls in the air and staying motivated, Uthappa says, “The key lies in the fact that everything I do stems from a deep love and passion. Whether it’s talking about cricket, playing the game, or coaching as a life coach, these are pursuits I genuinely adore and consider my life’s purpose.
As a mental health advocate, I’m driven by the goal of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and empowering people with accurate information. This mission, combined with my passion for everything I do, keeps me inspired every single day.” As a father of two young children, family too plays a big role, “Without a doubt, my family is my greatest source of motivation and my constant support system,” he says.
Today, conversations around mental health are more open than ever, but men, particularly sportsmen, still struggle to talk about their mental wellbeing, Uthappa has made it a point to speak up about his struggles with depression at the peak of his career. “During my recovery, I saw how deeply it [mental health] is still stigmatised in our society – something that desperately needs to change.
As humans, we tend to fear what we don’t fully understand, and mental health struggles can feel like a dark, isolating place,” he says. “I believe it’s important to shine a light on this topic, to normalise these experiences, and to remind people that they’re not alone-it’s a part of being human,” he continues.
The inaugural event of the mindsports tourney saw players across South India competing in mind sports like chess, online chess, blind chess, and online rummy. Uthappa, who gave away the awards to the top performers, says, “Whether played online or in person, I believe we will continue to thrive in the field of chess because it has been a part of our culture and mindset for so long. It’s deeply ingrained in who we are as people.”
Reflecting on the similarity in mindsets required for cricket and chess, he adds, “One valuable lesson chess players can take from cricket is the ability to switch on and off. In cricket, batters and bowlers often switch off mentally between deliveries and then refocus just before the action begins. This skill could be incredibly useful for chess players.”