RP Singh Announces Retirement From All Forms Of The Game

Former India pacer RP Singh, on Tuesday (September 4), announced his retirements from all forms of the game.

Exactly 13 years ago on this very day, RP Singh had played his first international game for India. The left-arm pacer had made an instant impact by picking up two wickets on his debut against Zimbabwe in Harare. It did not take him long to become the bowling mainstay of the team.

He had earned his India call after impressing in the Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh in 2004. He finished the tournament with eight wickets at 24.75 apiece.

The finest moment of his career came when he played an instrumental role in India’s historic triumph in the inaugural World T20 in 2007.

In the same year, he made his test debut and he did so in Pakistan in 2007. It was however the tour of England later that year that he justified the faith shown in him. He managed his first 5-wicket haul at the famed Lord’s and played a huge part in India winning that series after a span of 21 years.

In the following year,  he led an inspired bowling effort to beat Australia in Perth – a venue where the hosts hadn’t lost to any team besides the world-beating West Indies since 1985. The pacer claimed six wickets in the game. But soon, loss of form and injury saw him losing his regular place in the team. He played his last ODI in 2011.

RP Singh got a chance to revive his Test career when he was called as a last minute replacement for an injury ravaged Indian team in England. However, he went wicketless for 34 runs at The Oval and it was his last Test appearance.

Overall, he represented India in 14 Tests, 58 ODIs and 10 T20Is, picking 40, 69 and 15 wickets respectively.

Even after falling down the pecking order in the national team, he continued to impress in domestic circuit. At the age of 30, he was one of the leaders in Gujarat’s title-winning campaign in the Vijay Hazare tournament in the 2015-16 season. Overall, he played 94 first-class games and 136 List A games, picking 301 and 190 wickets respectively.

RP Singh took to Twitter to announce the news, tweeting:

“13 years ago today, on 4th September 2005 was the first time I donned the Indian jersey. It was the stepping-stone to what would become the most cherished moments of my life. Today, as I hang my boots and call it a day I wish to remember and give thanks to each and everyone who made this journey possible.

“To Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association, for giving me the break and nurturing me through the years. To BCCI, for giving me a platform to achieve my dreams. To Gujarat Cricket Association, for believing I still had it in me. To the coaches and support staff who made getting out there possible. To my teammates with whom I have had the privilege to share the dressing room with. To the media for keeping me in the news for the good and the bad. To my parents and sisters for the innumerable sacrifices they have made for me. To my friends for believing in me more than I believed in myself. And finally to my wife, Devanshi and my daughter. Ira Aarya for being my hope and strength.

“Even as I write this, there are confiding emotions inside me. No matter how much one prepares for this day, there is no easy may to bid goodbye. But somewhere inside there is that voice that tells you — it’s time. And that for me is today. My heart and soul will always belong to that young boy who debuted at Faisalabad, Pakistan, who wanted nothing more but to feel the leather in his hand and keep playing but my body reminds me I am an old man who needs to make may for the young.

“Thirteen years ago, even if God had granted me a wish, I wouldn’t have been able to ask for all that I have achieved till today.

“For someone born in a small village, I never thought I would be able to say this – I have lived my dream. And for that I have nobody else to thank but you. My fans. For believing in me. for criticizing me and for hailing me but mainly for just being there for me. Thank you!”

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— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) September 4, 2018