The Hindu : Sport : R.P. Singh’s selection on expected lines

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R.P. Singh’s selection on expected lines

S. Dinakar

— Photo: K. Pichumani

R.P. Singh.

Chennai: The selection of Rudra Pratap Singh in the 15-member Indian squad for the ICC World Twenty20 — the event begins in England on June 5 — is on expected lines.

The left-arm paceman has been bowling with verve in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) in South Africa after an injury-ridden phase that led to his omission from the Indian team.

He has picked wickets with his swing and surprised batsmen with unexpected bounce — wrist and seam position are R.P. Singh’s ally.

Generating lively pace, R.P. Singh has operated with a fair measure of control; he has 12 wickets in six IPL matches at an economy rate of 6.27. The left-armer has invariably struck in his first spell; there should be assistance for the pacemen in the first half of the English summer.

Edging out Munaf

R.P. Singh has edged out Munaf Patel in a close race for the last paceman’s spot. Truth to tell, Munaf has been bowling well for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL; he has nine wickets in six matches (economy: 7.35).

The lanky paceman hits the deck, can swing it off a fuller length later in the innings. Yet, R.P. Singh, arguably, is more incisive with the new ball.

Like Munaf, wicketkeeper- batsman Dinesh Karthik was a part of the 16-member Indian squad that played a two-match Twenty20 series in New Zealand earlier this year. Karthik, striking the ball well these days, also misses out.

The move suggests the selectors are confident about Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s fitness. There is no wicket-keeping back-up for the Indian captain.

Ravindra Jadeja keeps his place, holding back a stiff challenge from Abhishek Nayar. An attacking left-hander and a seamer who varies his pace, Nayar does add value to a side in the Twenty20 format.

He can rotate the strike or clear the ground and his seamers could have been handy in the English conditions.

Zestful Jadeja

But then, the zestful Jadeja has done little wrong in the limited opportunities he has been provided with.

A strokeful left-handed batsman and a developing left-arm spinner, he is exceptional on the field with his speed and an ability to hit the stumps from virtually any angle.

The much improved Pragyan Ojha is the specialist spin back-up for Harbhajan Singh.

Left-armer Ojha has flight and dip and could play a crucial role as the tournament progresses.

Piyush Chawla — the leg-spinner bowled well during the ODI series in the Old Blighty in 2007 — was another contender but Ojha’s consistency and present form swung the debate in his favour.

Robin Uthappa will not be a part of the side for the event this time around. The punishing right-hander has found form too late in the day to convince the selectors.

The pressure will be on Dhoni’s men. While the past — the triumph in South Africa — will inspire them, the future holds challenges.

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