Indian left-arm speedster RP Singh spoke exclusively to espnstar.com on his show in the IPL and comeback into the Indian team.

By Shikha Sachdeva

Q: Were you expecting a call-up in the Indian team for the ICC WorldT20 after a good start in this IPL?

RP: Honestly speaking, things were different at the start but as the tournament went along I regained confidence in my abilities. Yes, four or five matches into the IPL I started to think that maybe I can get that call-up but still at time I was going through sleepless nights.

Q: When you were dropped from the Indian squad there were some media reports that M.S Dhoni protested vehemently to the selectors, what do you have to say on that?

RP: That is not my area of concern. Yes, I heard about that but I won't want to comment on it as it is between M.S Dhoni and the selection panel. My job is to perform and take wickets, rest is God's wish.

Q: In the first answer of this interview you said that "I regained confidence in my abilities", why and how did you lose confidence?

RP: It was a strange feeling when I started playing this season of the Indian Premier League. I was nervous, anxious and a little unsure about myself. I had doubts about myself. I wondered if I was good enough for this level. Sometimes, lack of failure can be a deterrent and it happened with me as well. I had never seen failures or setbacks so when I was dropped I didn't know how to react. But I have learnt the best way to deal with failures is to first accept them and then work on getting over them. It worked for me.

Q: Did you seek anyone's advice during this phase of unsurity?

RP: Yeah, I did. Almost everyone at the national cricket academy was helpful. I was in constant touch with M.S Dhoni and he was a big support. Chairman of selectors Krish Srikkanth, coach Gary Kirsten they all kept reposing faith in my abilities. Above all, I never lost faith in God Almighty.

Q: Did it help that you made a comeback of sorts through the Indian Premier League?

RP: Surely. Nothing matches the pressure of playing for the country. I mean if I had made a comeback in an international fixture the pressures would have been different but in IPL it is different. Yes, I want to do well for my franchisee and my team Deccan Chargers but this pressure is nothing as compared to playing for India. So, in a way it helped that I could find my bearings in IPL and I am now ready to resume my international cricketing career.

Q: Purple Cap, a big high?

RP: Of course. In a competition when you have the likes of Zaheer Khan, Shane Warne etc. playing it is definitely a high to be on the top of the charts. It is like an icing on the cake.

Q: Gary Kirsten said that the players can be mentally drained out by the time they play ICC World T20. Do you agree?

RP: I won't like to comment on that, it is Gary's personal view. As a player I'd love to keep playing whatever is offered and in any case I was coming back after a lull so I am not tired at all. Infact, I am raring to go, I keep telling my Indian team colleagues: ‘world cup mein subko phodnaa hai' (laughs...)

Q: Do you think this is an ideal preparation for the Indian team for the ICC World T20?

RP: Why not? It is the same format, it is played in alien conditions and not on flat Indian wickets, this is tough competition, some might be injured but almost all the players are playing in the competition and most importantly we will have a small camp just before the world cup. I think this is good preparation for the world cup.

Q: Someone said that you will soon be married...

RP: Sorry, but you are not a good reporter! (laughs...) just joking, no mate, you have got it wrong, I have no such plans at the moment. Though my parents want to see me settled but tell them: "Suniyey abhi meri shaadi cricket sey ho gayi hai...mai ek saath do-do biwiyaan nahin rakh saktaa...." sorry, no such luck so far.

Q: But what is the kind of life partner you are looking for?

RP: She has to be a girl (laughs)....well, she has to be simple, homely girl...someone who respects elders and have a good understanding with me. Life of a cricketer is very different, so I'd want my life partner to understand and accept that.