Robin Singh hoping for a comeback

All-rounder Robin Singh rejected reports that he was planning to retire from international cricket and said he was perfectly fit and raring to make a comeback.

"I have no immediate plans for retirement...I am fit enough and hoping for a comeback," Robin Singh said in Jaipur.

Selectors, of late, have refuted his claims for a place in the national side on grounds that he is well past his prime and youngsters must be given a chance.

Robin Singh said though many youngsters had been tried recently, they had failed to perform consistently.

"Youngsters have been tried recently but they have not been consistent. There have only been a few good scores by them," the 38-year-old said.

"May be the youngsters got their places in Indian team easily and did not have to work hard for it and that is why they look complacent," he added.

He said India's dismal performance against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka showed that the players were "lacking in application".

"Against the much stronger Australians, the Indians had shown much better application but recently their approach has not been positive.

"May be when our players go abroad the failures of the past haunt and they come under pressure and commit mistakes. There should be a more positive approach," the all-rounder added.

The unassuming player regretted his omission from the national squad. "Sometimes I feel opinions are made before hand. Players are labelled and treated accordingly. Why bother about the age if a player is performing. Merit alone should be the criteria for selection".

Brushing aside his disappointment, Robin Singh said he failed to understand how the team could lack in motivation."Playing for your country is the biggest motivation. Earlier, cricketers were getting peanuts but now they get so much money and fame and playing for the country is an honour in itself".

Robin Singh, who has to his credit many a match-winning performance, said the players should be made to earn their places in the side in order to make themselves mentally tough.

"The players should be made to earn their places in the side. Let them compete for a place in the team and if they go through the hard way then strength and toughness will come automatically. But they also need to apply themselves. It is a long process and it comes through struggle," he said.

On the spate of injuries to players, Robin Singh said, "You should know your own body. I am fit because I worked hard and knew the requirements of my body. You have to work hard for fitness and harder to maintain it".

He refused to put the blame for failures of the team on skipper Saurav Ganguly and said "he may be in bad form but it is a collective game and every body has a responsibility".

He admitted that the team was over-dependent on star batsman Sachin Tendulkar. "Sachin's absence should not be an excuse because all teams have to go without their star players at some time or the other. Those who are playing should show commitment".

Mail Cricket Editor