RP Singh will be in the spotlight more than ever when he travels to Sri Lanka and later to South Africa for the Champions Trophy. The reason: his bowling partner,Zaheer Khan,will be missing the action owing to a shoulder injury. Speaking to The Sunday Express during the BCCI corporate tournament in Mohali,the 23-year-old Uttar Pradesh pacer talks about his form before the season opener,his equation with Indian skipper MS Dhoni and taking responsibility in Zaheer's absence. Has playing in the Corporate Trophy been helpful? • The tournament has been useful. Match practice adds to the confidence of a player. Moreover,it is nice to turn out for your company. How well prepared are you for the upcoming Sri Lankan tour and then the Champions Trophy? • It was quite good to get together with the team in Bangalore for the camp after the long break. And playing this tournament has been an added advantage. I have been bowling well in the nets and during matches. I feel the rhythm,though I am also working on variations in my bowling. You did quite well for Deccan Chargers in the IPL in South Africa. Do you think that experience will help you during the Champions Trophy? • I enjoyed bowling on South African wickets. The wickets there are quite conducive to my type of bowling. The experience will definitely help me as we played so many matches there. I hope to put up a similar performance for the Indian team. The Indian attack will miss the services of Zaheer Khan in Sri Lanka and South Africa. Do you think it will be a setback for the team? • Zaheer is a champion bowler who has single-handedly led the Indian team to many victories. Obviously,he will be missed. But I am sure Ishant Sharma and I can deliver the goods. We have to take more responsibility in Zaheers absence. Have you set any personal goals for the future? • I am quite happy with the way things are moving. I guess the only goal is to deliver a 100 per cent. The main goal is to perform well for the team and be a part of it. How would you describe your relationship with MS Dhoni? • Mahi has been amazing,both as a friend and as a captain. I have known him for ten years now,he definitely has a positive influence on me. I enjoy playing with him,co-incidentally we are both playing for Air India Blue in the corporate tournament,so its fun being in the same team.
