RP Singh Reveals What MS Dhoni Told Him About His Graph Going Down in International Cricket

RP Singh was once seen as the leader of the Indian pace attack in the post-Zaheer Khan era. The left-handed swing bowler from Uttar Pradesh made his debut for India back in 2005 and went on to play stellar roles in some of the country’s greatest wins in the next 2-3 years.

In fact, RP Singh was the purple-cape winner and the leader of the bowling attack in the 2009 Indian Premier League-winning campaign of Deccan Chargers. But post that Singh’s form nosedived and he soon found himself out of the reckoning.

What went wrong for the promising fast bowler? RP Singh himself does not have the answer. The former fast bowler opened up on how his friendship with MS Dhoni has remained a constant despite the graph of their careers going in completely different directions, in a chat with former Indian opener-turned commentator, Akash Chopra.

“We used to spend time together, then he became captain and his graph kept going up and mine down. But our friendship is intact and we still talk and roam around together. In cricketing matters, we have different opinions.” RP Singh told Akash Chopra.

Singh revealed that he had asked the same question to which Dhoni had said that maybe it is the luck that isn’t on his side.

“I didn’t get that answer. Dhoni told that ‘yes you are working hard but maybe it’s about the luck’,” RP Singh said, adding that he agreed with Dhoni’s answer.

Read: MS Dhoni’s Decision To Include International Captains Has Helped CSK: Faf Du Plessis

RP Singh opens up on his downward spiral as an International cricketer

RP Singh, who played 14 Tests, 58 ODIs, and 10 T20Is played a crucial role in India winning the 2007 Test series in England where he, along bamboozled the home side with seam and swing. Singh, then went on to spearhead India’s attack in their 2007 T20 World Cup campaign, where he emerged as the second-highest wicket-taker, three of which came in the all-important final against Pakistan. Post that, he also played a crucial role in the Men in Blue winning the 2008 Perth Test against Australia.

“I was at the top, performance-wise but neither could I save my place in Tests or ODIs. I played IPL and I guess I was one of the highest wicket-taker in 3 or 4 seasons but didn’t get to play matches may because the captain did not have trust in me or maybe my performance had really downgraded.” Singh added.

RP further lamented on the trust shown by the selectors who kept on telling him that his time will come.

“The selectors never gave me that answer even after I asked and they just told me ‘keep working hard your time will come” RP Singh revealed.

RP Singh last played for Team India in 2011 and with no chance of a comeback left, announced his retirement from the game at the age of 32 back in 2018.

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