Sign of desperation as RP Singh is recalled

Ins and outs: RP Singh (right) is back for India after Harbhajan Singh (left) was ruled out of the series
10 April 2012

India are poised to rely on the recalled RP Singh to keep them at the top of the world rankings, even though the bowler has not played a Test for more than three years.

Singh has been called up after fellow left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan was ruled out of the rest of the tour of England with hamstring and ankle problems - the third injury withdrawal India have suffered inside a week.

The tourists were due to begin preparing today for the Third Test that starts at Edgbaston on Wednesday. It is a hint at how desperate the situation is for India that they have chosen a player who has been out of the Test arena for so long. India are 2-0 down in the four-match series and know that another defeat this week would mean handing over the No1 spot in the ICC Test rankings to England.

"Ever since Zaheer walked out of the Lord's Test holding his hamstring, I was optimistic about my chances of making the team," said Singh. "I know I have been away from international cricket for some time but I am match fit and will not disappoint the selectors."

The departure of Zaheer from the Test squad followed those of off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and batsman Yuvraj Singh last week. RP Singh's arrival is likely to mean that one of Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma and Shanthakumaran Sreesanth drops out of the side. With his medium-paced swing, Praveen was India's most consistent bowler in the first two Tests but he has also proved a fiery character.

He was fined 20 per cent of his match fee for appearing to question a decision in the last Test and now seems to have had an angry exchange with a fan during India's drawn match against Northamptonshire at the weekend.

India must hope Praveen can continue to perform steadily with the ball against an England batting line-up that will be without Jonathan Trott.

Trott has been an ever-present in the England Test side since his debut against Australia at The Oval in August 2009 and the Warwickshire man was confident he'd play at his home ground this week despite damaging his left shoulder during the Second Test.

Yet after Trott was assessed last Friday, the England management decided not to risk him and have instead handed a Test recall to Ravi Bopara.

He was dropped to give Trott his chance during that 2009 series and has not played a Test since but he will this week if England stick to their policy of selecting six specialist batsmen and four bowlers.

That would force Tim Bresnan and Chris Tremlett to fight for a single spot.

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