RP Singh has suggested that the teams must improve their own performance instead of blaming pitches, as the pitch controversy erupted in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia.
The former Indian pacer further stressed that the players should be blamed for Test matches ending in 2-3 days, as the spin-friendly pitches led to the first three matches of the ongoing four-match Test series between India and Australia ending within three days.
RP Singh said at an event in Kolkata: “This is not the first time that the game is over within 2 or 3 days. I think we should not blame any pitch or ground. We must play well and must improve our performance rather than blaming pitches. As both the teams were playing on the same pitch, the better playing team will win the game.”
Speaking on India’s chances to reach the World Test Championship final, RP Singh said: “Chances change in an hour. We cannot say now. So, I hope there is a chance. We cannot predict the 4th Test. But we hope the teams will play well and didn't collapse like the last test match.”
He added, “Pace bowling bench strength is very good now. We don't have many impactful spinners in Team India after Ashwin, Jadeja and Akshar Patel. Hopefully, more will come. IPL is a big platform. It has improved our cricket. We get to see skilful players. Previously domestic cricket was limited but after IPL comes it has become one of the finest tournaments.”
The former pacer had predicted that Team India would clean sweep the Test series against Australia, but the tourists made a comeback in the series with a 9-wicket win in the third test. However, Singh hoped that the hosts would win the final test in Ahmedabad.
RP Singh noted: “My prediction was that Team India will do a whitewash of the Australian team in the test series. But the last match was not good for us. We have not played well. The match gets over within 3 days. I hope India will play well and hopefully; we will win the series.”
On the development of women's cricket in India and the launch of the Women's Premier League (WPL), the former Indian cricket noted: “Men's cricket has gone through many hurdles. It takes a long time to flourish. Women were also doing good.”
He signed off by saying, “They have also started well it will take time, but now it is going well. There are women IPL. In future, we will see popularity same hopefully in 10-12 years if we can provide the same facilities to women's cricket also.”
