Two batsmen batting right at the top, at the start of the innings and setting up a foundation of sorts for the rest to follow - there is so much method, thought process and a kind of understanding involved when you talk about partnerships, isn’t it? Some pairs struggle, many take time to find their groove and then there are a few who play perfect foil to each other right from the beginning. Such is the case with the Gambhir-Uthappa duo who have over the years become Kolkata Knight Riders’ most productive opening pair. On a scorching Saturday afternoon in Hyderabad it was no different as Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa put on a 92-run stand to set up a perfect platform for their team’s chase of 143. They negotiated the first half of the innings with ease, targeted bowlers, took timely risks and creamed the target as if they had it all calculated in their minds. Hardly was there an occasion where they both faltered. If one would play those gentle dabs for ones and twos, the other would take lead and place the pedal on the accelerator. It was a perfect scenario of two partners working for one cause, just like they had done all these years in the purple jersey. In this chat with IPLT20.com, Robin Uthappa opens up about his partnership with Gambhir, the camaraderie they share on and off the field, and what gets them clicking on those 22 yards.

After the blip at home, a thorough professional performance by the side in their first away game - winning games away obviously very important?

Absolutely! Winning games away from home matters a lot. We are playing six on the bounce outside our home ground, so it is important for us to start well. We are very happy with the way we played this game. I truly believe that we will be really successful if more often than not if we play to our potential. Today we went with the intent of playing to our potential and we played really well. Also, it has almost become like a habit for the Gambhir-Uthappa duo to set up the perfect platform - be it in a run-chase or while setting a target. I think myself and Gautam complement each other beautifully and we have a great understanding between each other. The batting chemistry between us is really good. We understand the importance of rotating strike and backing each other. We know exactly what to say to each other when we are batting in the middle, during the course of the innings. In that sense it just kind of clicks for the unit and it is something that has been working for us over the years. I am very happy and grateful for the way it has been going on for us. Having a stable opening combination for a long period of time helps, isn’t it? It helps to have a stable opening combination throughout the tournament. I think we kind of cracked it in the first year when I joined KKR. Once we got that figured, it became a very formidable opening partnership. Gauti is hitting the ball extremely well this year and it is great to see him hit the ball that way from the other end. He is back amongst the runs with the Orange Cap and we hope to continue the same way and go from strength to strength though these are very early days in the tournament. What is it about Gambhir that makes him such a reliable opening partner? He is fantastic as a captain and as a batsman. He takes responsibility upon himself. He is the kind of player who capitalizes on good form and when he is hitting the ball really well he makes sure he makes the most of it. Like today, in the initial part of the innings, Gauti was taking some time and then I went on the offensive for a little bit. Then I got hit and Gauti took over from there.

That is where all the understanding and complementing each other factor comes into the picture - in situations like that. When I found it difficult to grip the bat, Gambhir took the onus upon himself and I played second fiddle where I was just rotating the strike to give him a lot more of the strike during the course of the innings. He did what was required of him to do - to take the onus on himself. He had to score boundaries and he was doing that beautifully today. It is great to see him get those runs and hope he continues like this through the rest of the tournament.

Just like on the field chemistry, very important to have the same kind of rapport off it as well? Myself and Gauti have played a lot of cricket together. We do open a lot together so there is a great understanding and over the years we have gotten along really well. It has also got to do a lot with the kind of relationship we share off the field which has always been great with him. I do believe when you spend so much time with each other and you have been opening consistently over a period of time, you tend to find your space and stay within that. You also help each other out. It all works for the best in the end. Personally, feeling good about your own batting? I have played very little cricket coming into the IPL. So it is good to start playing matches and enjoy myself in the middle. I am happy with the way I am batting and timing the ball. I would definitely want to finish more games for the team and that is one of my priorities. Setting up the foundation is extremely critical and crucial. It is something that I look to go out and do in every innings that I play. That is the primary focus, to set a good foundation for the side and once I get set, try and finish the game for the team. I am happy with the way it’s begun and I definitely want to improve on what I have started right now. Finally, how challenging is it to play a bowler like Mustafizur Rahman? He is a different bowler; he has a lot of variations up his sleeve. I thought the important thing while playing him was to hold my shape, play close to the body and as straight as possible. In doing that, we found it easy to rotate the strike. With a new bowler on the scene and till you sort him out and till you figure out his complete repertoire of variations, you got to respect the fact that he is going to be bowling for a certain period. We are in that phase right now where Mustafizur is new in the scene and bowling really well and people are still figuring him out. Given some time he will also have to come up with new variations and improvements. With the level of cricket that we play today, he will be sorted out in a few months or so.