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Has Robin Singh outlasted his utility in the Indian team?
The Offside
Robin Singh is the quintessential team man. He's the lionheart who's bailed
Indian cricket out of many a tough corner in limited overs games. Coming in
to bat towards the end of the innings, the gutsy Tamil Nadu all rounder has
had to get going right from the first ball. With no time to settle in or
play a long innings, Robin Singh has had to perform a role no batsman would
envy. With little chance of accumulating any personal glory, Robin Singh has
had to push ahead in the larger interest of the team.
And the occasions in which he's done that successfully are innumerable,
beginning with the 48 he scored against Zimbabwe at Paarl in 1997. That was
done in just 31 balls, coming in at number eight. What about the time Robin
Singh was sent in as a pinch hitter and made a century in Sri Lanka?
Picking up 3/20 in the same match, Robin Singh was well on course to
scripting an Indian victory when the rain came down and ended the game.
Then comes the famous final against the old foe Pakistan, at Dhaka in
1998. Chasing a mammoth 315 for victory, India had no choice but to
experiment and send Robin Singh up the order. Coming in at number three,
Robin Singh made an 83-ball 82 and shared a 179-run partnership with Sourav
Ganguly setting up a memorable triumph. But citing examples is too easy in
the case of someone like Robin Singh.
A glance at his career record is proof enough that he is the best man for
the number six position. Over 2000 runs, scored at an average of almost 26
and a strike rate of almost 75. That is top stuff for someone batting so
low down in the order. Add to this his role as a fifth bowler. 59 wickets
at an average of just over 43, a strike rate as low as 54.1 and an economy
rate under 5 an over. It's time India stopped experimenting with bits and
pieces cricketers and reinstated the experienced yet fit Robin Singh in the
Indian side.
The Evidence:
The Onside
Robin Singh served India well. Perhaps he was unlucky not be a permanent
fixture in the team earlier in his career and yet, Robin Singh is now well
past his prime. He has served out his utility and the time has come for the Indian
team to move on. Just two months short of his 38th birthday, Robin Singh is
no spring chicken. There are enough and more youngsters in India with strong
legs and quick feet. If India does not blood them now, it will be too late
when the World Cup comes around in 2003. Just consider it, Robin Singh will
be 40 then. He can't go on playing forever.
In the last 20 ODIs, Robin Singh has played, he's failed to reach 40
even once. With youngsters like Yuvraj Singh, Reetinder Singh Sodhi and
Virender Sehwag giving the ball a mighty thump in the middle order, how can
one keep giving Robin Singh opportunities. After all, a player
should not be in an international side on reputation alone. In the last 10
matches where Robin Singh has bowled, he has managed to pick up just one
wicket. Now that is a clear sign that he has slowed down a fair bit and
lost the precious ability to surprise batsmen.
Perhaps it's just a case of the novelty wearing off. Robin Singh's
limitations when it comes to strokeplay through the off side are well
documented. His footwork leaves a lot to be desired and bowlers around the
world seem to have sorted him out. With the ball in hand too Robin Singh
has again lost his sting.
With Sourav Ganguly chipping in more than usefully with his medium pace
bowling, there really is no need for Robin Singh any more. Instead a
specialist batsman at number six adds tremendous depth to the side. Having
been dropped for a few series, it would be better for Robin Singh to accept
reality. His time has come and gone.
The Evidence:
Archive
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