MS Dhoni was an unbiased captain – RP Singh on 2008 selection controversy

 

Former Indian fast bowler RP Singh has stated that MS Dhoni was an unbiased captain. Dhoni had preferred Singh over Irfan Pathan for the England series in 2008 and it had raised a controversy. Dhoni, who was leading the team back then, had called the selection leak as ‘disgusting and disrespectful’.

However, RP Singh added that it didn’t have an impact on him as he was determined to do well for the side. Singh scalped one wicket in the first ODI of the series which was played at Rajkot. Subsequently, he went wicketless in the second ODI at Indore and thus he was dropped from the playing XI for the rest of the series.

India went on to take the seven-match series 5-0 as the last two matches were called off.

On the other hand, the left-arm pacer from Uttar Pradesh believes he didn’t have the rub of the green on his side as he was mostly sent to play in the domestic circuit after mundane performance for the national side. However, the level of competition was not the same and it affected RP Singh.

“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 two or three more chances. But it was not meant to be. Some get five chances, some get 10 chances… the lucky ones,” RP Singh told Sports Tak.

“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.”

RP went on to praise Dhoni’s leadership and added he was always unbiased. Dhoni knew which players he should back and he made sure that they got ample opportunities to prove their mettle.

However, RP, who had one of the most fluent bowling actions, felt dip in swing and pace led to a downward slope in his career. The southpaw pacer could not get back on track after paltry performances. The left-arm pacer was also unfortunate as his career was also cut short by injuries.

“We (Dhoni and I) had a discussion about where I could improve, what I can do to get better. I know M. S. 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 who he thought would follow the plans better.

“This is why M. S. Dhoni is M. S. 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 played 14 Test matches, 58 One Day Internationals and 14 T20Is for the Indian team and he scalped 40, 69 and 15 wickets respectively in the three forms of the game.

 

Written by: Gautam Chauhan