MS Dhoni Is MS Dhoni Today Because Of His Unbiased Opinions On Cricket: RP Singh
Published - 11 May 2020, 08:01 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:28 AM
Former Indian captain MS Dhoni-led his country for a period of ten years and amidst what was largely a successful run, the former World Cup-winning captain got embroiled in controversies as far as team selection was concerned.
One of those instances came during the 2008 home ODI series against England where a media report that said Dhoni was in disagreements with the selectors over the selection of Irfan Pathan over RP Singh. The report had claimed that Dhoni had even threatened the selectors that he step-down from the post if he didn’t have his way.
Of-course, Dhoni lambasted the reports, terming them as ‘disgusting and disrespectful’. Eventually, RP Singh played the first two ODIs ahead of Pathan before he too was dropped from the playing 11.
In a recent chat with Sports Tak, RP Singh opened up about the controversy and said that Dhoni backed those cricketers who fitted in his plans besides adding that his friendship with the former captain never came in the way of national selection.
“I don’t think I was affected by the leak. The England series we are talking about, I didn’t get a wicket in Indore. Obviously people think they will get 2 or 3 more chances. But it was not meant to be. Some get 5 chances, some get 10 chances the lucky ones,” RP Singh told Sports Tak.
He added: “But many times it has happened to me, whenever my performance dipped, I was directly sent to play domestic cricket. Sometimes, people tend to stay with the team even if their performance dips and get good quality practice. The moment you go to domestic cricket, you won’t get that quality competition.
Also Read: RP Singh Reveals What MS Dhoni Told Him About His Graph Going Down in International Cricket
MS Dhoni and I had a discussion about where I could improve: RP Singh
Singh added that he had a lot of discussions with Dhoni during his playing days on the things where he could improve. He also hailed Dhoni for his unbiased views, saying that he is what he is today because of his unbiased opinion on cricket.
“We [Dhoni and I] had a discussion about where I could improve, what I can do to get better. I know MS Dhoni. Friendship is a different thing, but leading the country is different altogether. At that moment, I think he pushed the ones who he thought were better. I think he pushed people whom he thought would follow the plans better,” he added.
“This is why MS Dhoni is MS Dhoni today. His unbiased opinions on cricket and decision making. I didn’t play as much as I should have because maybe my speed dipped and my swing dipped. Everything else is secondary. If I had improved then, I would have played more. But I am happy with whatever I achieved.” RP Singh concluded.
RP Singh, who last played for India in 2011, was a part of a lot of memorable wins during his career. He was the second-highest wicket-taker in the 2007 T20 World Cup and one of the bedrocks behind Rahul Dravid’s side winning a Test series in England after 21 years.
Also Read: RP Singh Hails Anil Kumble As The Best Captain Of His Life
