|
 Rudra
Pratap Singh is one of the promising young bowlers emerging out
of Uttar Pradesh in India. He was one of the strike bowlers for
the Indian Under-19 team during the World Cup in Dhaka in
February 2004. With 16 wickets in just 3 matches this season, RP
Singh looks a definite prospect in the future for India.
Cricketfundas.com's
Ashwat Ramani caught up with Rudra Pratap Singh on the 14th of
December, 2004 for an exclusive Interview.
Rudra
Pratap Singh, you have already taken 16 wickets in 3 matches
this season with a best of 5/58 against Assam a few days back.
So what are you future plans for this season?
Yeah, I have started off quite well this
season. I want to continue with this performance for the rest of
the season. I want to do well for my team in the Ranji Trophy,
and also hope to get selected and do well in the Duleep Trophy
in the future. I made my First Class debut last season, so in
the future my plans are just to do well for my team so that I
get selected to play for India.
Talk us
through your early days in Cricket.
I am basically from Rai
Bareilly, I did my schooling and college in Lucknow. Right from
my childhood days I was very much into cricket. After completing
my hostel and college, I got selected in the Under-19 team. Then
I advanced to the India Under-19 team and that’s how it went for
me.
How was
the Under-19 World Cup experience in Dhaka for you?
I think that was one of the
biggest tournaments I played till now. There were many nations
which participated in that tournament, some were very
competitive and some weren’t as competitive. I bowled quite
decently throughout the tournament, so it was quite memorable.
Which was
the most memorable match for you in that Tournament?
Yeah as I said, I bowled
very well throughout that tournament. I was quite economical in
the match against New Zealand. I think I took 2 wickets for just
around 20-25 runs, but my most memorable match in that
tournament had to be the one against Pakistan. It was a really
low scoring match and we eventually lost that match, but even
then I bowled really well and I got two quality batsmen out. I
remember our captain Ambatti Rayudu was banned by the Match
Referee and I think that was a really harsh decision. So that
did affect our body language in that match. But inspite of all
that we gave Pakistan a fight, and at the end of the day, I
think we lost to a better team.
What do
you think about Rayudu as a Captain?
I have played for quite a
long time under Rayudu now. He is a wonderful captain and a very
good batsman. He has led very well as a captain and I hope he
continues with his good work and does well in the future.
You also
played a match against the touring New Zealand team last year.
So how was that experience?
Yes, actually that match
came very early in my career. It was great to play with guys
like Mohammad Kaif, Kartik and Badani. I was wicketless
throughout that match, but even then I felt good to play against
the likes of Fleming and Astle.
I saw you
working on your batting in the nets today for quite a long time.
So how much importance do you give to your batting?
Yes nowadays a bowler has to
be a good batsman also. Cricket presently is so competitive that
a cricketer has to do well in all parts of the game. For me as a
bowler, I also try to contribute through my batting and
according to me every run added by a tail-ender is just an added
bonus to the team’s total. Like right now you have Irfan Pathan
in the Indian team, who not only bowls so well but also performs
well with the bat. So he is a great asset to the team.
You play
Club Cricket for Air India, so according to you how important is
club cricket for any cricketer?
Yes, I play for Air India
and club cricket in Mumbai is quite good. The teams that are in
the Times Shield Tournament are very competitive. As a young
cricketer, you are always on a learning curve and I think club
cricket is very much important for every young cricketer to
improve himself.
|
