Rohit Sharma | file photo
In an exclusive interview with India TV, veteran pacer RP Singh talks about a wide range of topics from Rohit and Virat’s form to exciting up-and-coming players.
interview excerpts
on IPL 2022
After the mega-auction, it took time for the teams to settle down, but the new franchise outperformed our expectations. David Miller, Tewatia impressed the most with the GT.
in this IPLThe left arm fast bowlers did really well. He needs to polish up a bit, but the art of his left arm fast bowling was worth watching in the IPL. Players like Yash Dayal and Arshdeep Singh were very good, they learned really fast and applied those skills during the middle and death overs.
But yes, Arshdeep in particular did better than we expected.
on Umran Malik
He impressed me a lot. He has speed, and nothing can be better than that. But along with speed, he needs to focus on other things as well. Speed alone will not work. He shouldn’t be a miracle of just one season. He should be well prepared. He has just started his career, he still has a long way to go. He has too many boxes to tick. His real test will be how he deals with his fitness and how he bounces back if he gets injured.
Overall Fast Bowling Unit
We must thank the scouts who identified him. We have the skills and IPL has given them the platform. Earlier it was only domestic platform, but now IPL is another big platform.
Arshdeep Singh
He may not have wickets, but he has bowled really well, he bowls during the death overs, and it’s not really easy. He has good speed and skill, but the biggest thing is executing plans under pressure, and he has done very well.
on Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel finally came to RCB after going here and there and he made good use of him. He knows his strengths and executes them well. They’ve had one good year after another, and that shows how hard they’ve worked.
On young batsmen emerging from IPL
Jaiswal impressed me the most. Badoni was a surprise package. Rajat was unsold, I have played against him towards the end of my career, but he needs to be more consistent. Dinesh Karthik Have returned 10-15, if he could not establish himself, then why return again. Tilak looks like a solid player, and we will see more of him in the future.
Selection based on IPL performance
Most of the players picked have been part of the domestic set-up for some time. According to me the choice was fine.
Rohit Sharma at rest vs SA
He should have played the series. I don’t think he should have rested.
In place of Rohit Sharma in T20Is
Now isn’t that time. Eventually, we will have to explore alternatives, but not now. Yes, Rohit’s form is a headache. He is an established player, and that makes it a huge problem.
Reason for Rohit’s downfall
I think age and fitness play a big role in this. Reflexes are affected with age and fitness. It is difficult to come back at the age of 36. When you are a senior player, you are expected to dominate. If he gets out now, it will be difficult for him to come back.
On Virat Kohli’s form
I think the timing has not been good for Virat. It will take time for him to come back. Not a good format to return to T20 form. If you want your form back, it is natural to play more deliveries, but the format is wrong. Had it been ODIs or Tests, he would have done well.
on Hardik Pandya
Right now, captaining India is a long shot. If he can bowl well then he is important for our team. He has worked on his fitness and will do well for India.
GT on the contribution of Ashish Nehra title of triumph
When a team wins everyone should be given credit. This is his experience of managing a team. He is there with his players and gives them great inputs.