Karnataka batsman Robin Uthappa may soon be playing domestic cricket for Kerala. Jayesh George, the Kerala Cricket Association Secretary, on Tuesday said they will announce Uthappa’s selection once the formal procedure takes place.

“Formal discussion is happening. May be this week, we will announce Robin Uthappa’s selection to play for our state in this year’s Ranji season,” George told PTI over phone from Kerala.

George added that he will contact Uthappa to carry on the discussion which he had initiated when the Kolkata Knight Riders player visited Bengaluru to play Royal Challengers Bangalore.

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“Former KCA President KC Mathew had contacted Robin during a match between KKR and RCB, and I also coordinated with him. He (Robin) is interested, and we are also interested to have him in our side,” he said.

The 31-year-old Uthappa, who hails from Karnataka, has represented the state since making his debut as a teenager in 2002. However, he was dropped from the state team during the recent Ranji season. He had scored 388 runs for Kolkata Knight Riders during the recently-concluded Indian Premier League.

George said he was in touch with Uthappa during India A’s tour to Australia, but at that time he was concentrating on the tour and upcoming IPL season.

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“I was the manager when India A toured Australia. He was in touch with me personally, also. That time he was concentrating on the tour and IPL, and hence I did not want to disturb him,” he said.

Asked whether Uthappa has discussed the terms and conditions to join Kerala, George said, “For now, I would not like to talk about it. When time comes I will let you know.”

George said KCA were in search of an opener who can also communicate in Malayalam and Uthappa fits the bill. “We are in search of players. So, we made Robin our choice because he can communicate in our language also. We are also looking for an opening batsman,” he said.

However, Uthappa did not confirm the development saying, “I would not give any off-the-record and on-the-record comments on the issue, but certainly talk about it when time comes.”