Zaheer out, RP Singh in
Mumbai: 'Aap please zyaada sawaal math poochiye (Please don't ask me too many questions),' a timid RP Singh exclaimed when contacted him on Sunday.
Old-timers say RP has always been timorous but he had more reason to be so after Zaheer Khan's injury prompted the selectors to name him in the squad for the remaining two Tests, the lone Twenty20 game and the ensuing five-match ODI series.
After all, the left-arm medium-pacer from Uttar Pradesh had attracted headlines for the wrong reasons in 2008. Skipper MS Dhoni had strongly opposed the selection committee's decision to drop him for the last four ODIs during the home series against England. RP went on to play eight more ODIs, the last of them in the Champions Trophy in South Africa in 2009 before being forgotten. Forever, almost!
Presumably, Kris Srikkanth & Co were left with no other option. Replacing a left-armer with another makes sense and RP seems the best choice. He had picked up 12 wickets during the historic series win in England four years ago. We attribute that triumph mainly to Zaheer's efforts but make no mistake, RP had done his bit.
'I remember he did well in the ODI series that followed. We lost the seven-match series 3-4, but I remember RP had swung the ball on that tour,' Ajit Agarkar recalled. For the record, RP had picked up seven wickets in four ODIs before scalping 12 batsmen in the three-Test rubber.
'His selection makes sense as he's a left-arm seamer. But I doubt if they'll play him in the third or fourth Test. There's very little time for him to get acclimatised,' Agarkar added.
It may be recalled that RP last took a Test wicket in Perth during the 2008 series. Well, India's next tour of Australia is barely months away! So that's how long it's been since he came up with a worthy performance in white flannels.
However, he's the highest wicket-taker in IPL history (if you can use that word). He has picked up 64 wickets in 56 games (for Deccan Chargers and Kochi Tuskers Kerala). He has played for Leicestershire too. 'I just want to thank the selectors. I've waited for a long time for this call,' RP said, before hanging up. Let's hope he isn't as timid on the field. India can't afford that.
News Posted: 8 August, 2011
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