The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : N.P. Singh retires

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 19, 2006
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N.P. Singh retires

Principal Correspondent

N.P. Singh. — FILE PHOTO: Mohammed Yousuf

HYDERABAD: It was an emotional decision for the 33-year-old Hyderabad medium-pacer Narinderpal Singh. He was virtually forced to quit first-class cricket after a creditable 13-year-stint with Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy and for south zone in the Duleep Trophy.

Controlling his tears, NP, as he is often called, said he felt it was time to quit the sport as there were quite a few youngsters waiting in the wings to take over from him.

"No, I am not uncomfortable. After the failure in the first two matches, I have been giving a thought to this," he remarked on announcing his retirement.

NP's exclusion from the squad currently playing Mumbai has proven to be the final straw for him. The general feeling was that he could have been given a more dignified send-off after playing three more matches on home turf.

An assistant general manager in SBH, NP was known for his match-winning spells when the team needed it. He had a total of 16 five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket hauls.

"I thank the HCA secretary N. Shivlal Yadav, my coaches including late M.L. Jaisimha and all my teammates for their wonderful support over the years," he said. When asked for advice for youngsters, he said: "One should never be found wanting in commitment. Play for the team and aim big."

Hyderabad would be hard pressed to find a replacement for the medium-pacer. NP's career haul of 305 wickets from 97 matches at an average of 26.81 is an impressive one.

Hyderabad bowling coach Kanwaljit Singh paid tributes to NP. "I enjoyed playing with him for 10 years and he was wonderful company in the dressing room. We will miss him badly but every sportsperson has to face this (retirement) one day or the other," he said.

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