RP Singh another trundler made his way back into the team

[Crookbond]

RP Singh's selection reflects India's tragicomic series

If any proof was needed that this England series is turning out to be a tragicomic one for India, it came when RP Singh was told at the very last minute to strip off his training gear, tie his bootlaces and rush onto the field at The Oval to deliver the first over of the final Test. Now remember, this is RP Singh, a man who played his last Test on a flat track at Motera in 2008. The last time he bowled in a first-class match was in the Duleep Trophy for Central Zone versus South Zone, between January 26-29, where he got just three wickets in the 522-run defeat. This was a bowler who India had pulled out of cold storage, once the full extent of Zaheer Khan's injury was revealed, a bowler who was re-entering the Test arena on the back of delivering 50 overs in 14 IPL matches. As RP Singh sprayed five out of his first six deliveries onto, or sometimes behind, England's openers' pads, at a pace that made it inappropriate to term him a fast bowler, people began to wonder if this was joke. On match-day eve, MS Dhoni said India were not desperate, or thinking about winning or avoiding defeat at any cost. The way they started today, it seemed they were desperate to avoid playing at any cost. At the end of the day, RP Singh revealed that Praveen Kumar had pulled out of the Test at the last possible minute. There was nothing in the morning warm-up sessions that suggested RP Singh would play; he was seen striding in delicately, delivering harmless punches at VVS Laxman in the nets. In fact, on the scorecards printed by the ECB, P Kumar was listed as No. 9 under the India column. "This morning after the warm-up when PK [Praveen] said he was not fit for the match, that is when the coach [Duncan Fletcher] came to me and told me I was playing," RP Singh said. He did not deny that he was "nervous". Fair enough. But then he also said that "gradually I got my line and length back". The two spells he bowled in the little play possible today read: 7-2-19-0 from the Vauxhall End and then 3-1-5-0 from the Pavilion End. Economical, yes, but in conditions that were overcast and with a new ball in hand, he failed to beat the outside edge even once. At the media conference, he said that between his last trip to England in 2007, a series where he kept the England batsmen on their toes in the company of Zaheer Khan, and now he had equipped himself with an additional weapon - swinging the ball in to the left-handers. But today there was not one ball that he could bend in past the defence of Andrew Strauss or Alistair Cook. Despite his lack of first-class outings in recent times, and looking clearly rust at The Oval, RP Singh said he was match-fit. "I played the IPL and a few club matches. In India, the domestic four-day season is between September and March but I played a few one-day games and the IPL so I am fit for these matches." RP Singh may come in for some criticism for his insipid performance on the first day, but can you really blame a bowler who has been struggling with form and fitness issues in the last few years for being ineffective? The big question is why and how did he become Zaheer's replacement. Was it more out of hope than belief that the selectors picked him. Were they simply thinking about the fact that RP Singh had done so well during the victorious 2007 series and not about his recent performances? Importantly, why does Munaf Patel, a more permanent member of the India squad in the recent past, and a smart bowler who was a critical part of the World Cup-winning team, continue to warm the bench? What sort of inference does he derive when a bowler who has not featured for India in two years is played ahead of him? These and many other burning questions will continue to be asked in the coming days and weeks.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-india-2011/content/current/story/528300.html

[Switchblade]

I was nervous, says RP Singh http://cricket.expressindia.com/news/i-was-nervous-says-rp-singh/834225/ London: Returning to Test cricket after a gap of more than three years, India medium-pacer RP Singh today said he was initially nervous and struggled against England early this morning. "I was initially nervous, that's why the first over I bowled here and there but gradually I got my line and length," said RP Singh, who bowled seven overs for 19 runs and didn't look a part either in pace or fitness. RP Singh said he was informed of his inclusion only this morning after Praveen Kumar pulled out due to an ankle injury. "I was told this morning after warm-up when PK reported he wasn't fully fit. The coach and captain then informed me that I was playing," he said. RP hardly played a first class tie over the last few months but the Uttar Pradesh medium-pacer said he was fit for the match. "I played some matches in IPL and a few club matches. Our domestic season lasts from September to March, so yes there weren't many four-day games but I am quite fit for the matches," he said. The left-arm seamer said he wasn't too surprised at his inclusion and said he was not far behind from his form in 2007 when he grabbed 12 wickets from three Tests at 28.92. "2007 is a long time back. But I've learnt a few more things like how to bring an inswing to a left-hand batsman. I just need a good click," he said. "I wasn't surprised at my inclusion. I have been working on my fitness at home. I came here to play and was waiting for my turn." RP Singh said India would look to win the Oval Test and end the series on a positive note. "We will aim for win and go all-out. We want to leave a good impact," he said.

[wobblydoggy]

http://cricket.expressindia.com/news/i-was-nervous-says-rp-singh/834225/ London: Returning to Test cricket after a gap of more than three years, India medium-pacer RP Singh today said he was initially nervous and struggled against England early this morning. "I was initially nervous, that's why the first over I bowled here and there but gradually I got my line and length," said RP Singh, who bowled seven overs for 19 runs and didn't look a part either in pace or fitness. RP Singh said he was informed of his inclusion only this morning after Praveen Kumar pulled out due to an ankle injury. "I was told this morning after warm-up when PK reported he wasn't fully fit. The coach and captain then informed me that I was playing," he said. RP hardly played a first class tie over the last few months but the Uttar Pradesh medium-pacer said he was fit for the match. "I played some matches in IPL and a few club matches. Our domestic season lasts from September to March, so yes there weren't many four-day games but I am quite fit for the matches," he said. The left-arm seamer said he wasn't too surprised at his inclusion and said he was not far behind from his form in 2007 when he grabbed 12 wickets from three Tests at 28.92. "2007 is a long time back. But I've learnt a few more things like how to bring an inswing to a left-hand batsman. I just need a good click," he said. "I wasn't surprised at my inclusion. I have been working on my fitness at home. I came here to play and was waiting for my turn." RP Singh said India would look to win the Oval Test and end the series on a positive note. "We will aim for win and go all-out. We want to leave a good impact," he said.

Sounds like a man who wants to be part of the obviously coming new set up and who wants to raise his profile. If that is the case he should have trained harder and eaten a few less samosas

[Rightarmfast]

Mr wobbly, we dont get fish and chips in UP..ok ? So Samosa and Jalebi it is or starve to death ! And we were hoping Bresnan to reduce on those chips...:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:

[wobblydoggy]

Mr wobbly' date=' we dont get fish and chips in UP..ok ? So Samosa and Jalebi it is or starve to death ! And we were hoping Bresnan to reduce on those chips...:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:[/quote'] Bresnan is built like a tank:haha:

[FreakazoiD]

Is it just me or can others see his man-boobs too?

[Pagalpanti]

You get a call up, probably the 2nd chance to make it 'really' count at big stage and you come up with 'I was nervous :((' what a pussy

[Blue Panther]

Blame indian selectors for this. He played domestic match in jan and u select a player who has no match practice at all. Why are they so dumb? i just cant understand. We may need an anna hazare for bcci.

[wobblydoggy]

Blame indian selectors for this. He played domestic match in jan and u select a player who has no match practice at all. Why are they so dumb? i just cant understand. We may need an anna hazare for bcci.

I agree you can see he is not test match fit

[Yoda-esque]

I fail to understand how they aren't even match fit.I mean its their damn job. How difficult is it to hit the gym thrice a week and run a mile ? Easy Money.No Hunger.

[wobblydoggy]

I fail to understand how they aren't even match fit.I mean its their damn job. How difficult is it to hit the gym thrice a week and run a mile ? Easy Money.No Hunger.

Agreed it is terrible considering what these super stars are paid

[Fontaine]

Of course RP isn't test match fit. He hasn't played FC cricket since January and there wasn't even a small chance of him being included in the squad. That makes at least four players that were unfit for squad selection but the BCCI/selectors chose to include them anyway: 1. Zaheer, 2. Sehwag, 3. Sreesanth, 4. RP

[vvvslaxman]

RP should have been called up immediately after first test. Without any kind of game under his belt it was always going to be tough against inform English players.

[Fontaine]

RP should have been called up immediately after first test. Without any kind of game under his belt it was always going to be tough against inform English players.

They should have just played Munaf. At least he can bowl mid 80s and get decent bounce.

[The Realist]

Apparently RIP was chillin in Miami before the braindead selectors called him up. But surely in that case you would want a toned body in such a location to be mingling with the beautiful people?..

[vvvslaxman]

They should have just played Munaf. At least he can bowl mid 80s and get decent bounce.

If you have a device called crappometer... and 100 is the highest reading following would be the reading RP 90 Praveen 81 Sreesanth 88 Ishant 85 Munaf 84 so it doesn't matter who plays anymore. We are going to be smashed.

[Fontaine]

If you have a device called crappometer... and 100 is the highest reading following would be the reading RP 90 Praveen 81 Sreesanth 88 Ishant 85 Munaf 84 so it doesn't matter who plays anymore. We are going to be smashed.

I disagree. Having a combination of Munaf/Sharma would mean that Ishant could attack from one end while Munaf would hold down the other. Something we haven't had at all in this test. Sharma has bowled good spells but there's no point when the batsmen just see him off and can score 3/4 and over from the other end. With Munaf/Sharma you could at least set some attacking fields and look to even bowl short for a few overs because they both bowl around mid 80s and get good bounce. Plus Munaf can at least bowl cutters and seam the ball. RP/Sree can't even bowl a bouncer. And can't even swing the ball now.

[Jayaram_IND]

Why did India select a bowler who was nervous?

[ludhianvi]

When Munaf was selected before RP in the initial squad, then I'd have played Munaf who has been there for the whole tour. Munaf is the kind of bowler who's going to bowl a great line and induce edges esp. in helpful conditions. Can also be used as a restrictive bowler if req'd. Yes, doesn't have the same pace as before but given the circumstances, Munaf before RP.

[Trichromatic]

RP can't even field properly. That happens when players don't play for long time. What a pathetic selection. Zaheer Khan was not sent early. Selectors expected some kind of "chamatkar" which would make him fit for 3rd test and now we have a bowler who is bowling directly in a test match in England. :facepalm: