Rudra Pratap Singh Senior, born on January 6, 1965, was a talented left-arm fast bowler who represented Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket and played briefly for India at the international level. Despite his abilities, his name is often overshadowed by another cricketer of the same name—RP Singh, the younger left-arm seamer who had a more illustrious career for India.

Parallel Careers of Two RP Singhs

Interestingly, both cricketers shared striking similarities. Both were left-arm seamers from Uttar Pradesh, both opened the bowling for India, and both played international cricket. However, while RP Singh Junior had an extensive career spanning 14 Tests, 58 ODIs, and 10 T20Is, claiming 114 wickets, RP Singh Senior only managed two ODIs in 1986, securing just one wicket. This has often led to confusion, as suffixes like "Senior" and "Junior" were rarely used to distinguish them.

First-Class Career and Domestic Success

During his domestic career, RP Singh Senior played 59 First-Class matches, securing 150 wickets at an average of 32.37, including five five-wicket hauls. His peak seasons came in 1984-85 and 1985-86, during which he took 48 wickets at 24.04. However, his overall career saw him take 102 wickets at 36.29, showing that his prime years were relatively short-lived.

Early Breakthrough and Ranji Trophy Performances

Hailing from Lucknow, RP Singh made his mark at a young age. By 16, he was already playing in the CK Nayudu Trophy for Uttar Pradesh's Under-22 team. One of his standout performances came against Vidarbha Under-22s, where he recorded 8 for 28 and 4 for 29. He made his Ranji Trophy debut at 17, forming a formidable trio alongside Rajinder Hans (a senior left-arm spinner) and Gopal Sharma (off-spinner).

In the 1983-84 season, RP Singh took his only ten-wicket haul in a match against Railways, with figures of 7 for 67 and 4 for 79. Uttar Pradesh reached the quarter-finals, only to be eliminated by Delhi. That season, he finished with 25 wickets at 21.64, second only to Madan Lal among seamers.

International Call-Up and Brief Stint with India

His impressive domestic form earned him a spot in the India Under-25 squad against Allan Border’s Australian team in 1985. His performance in that match, where he dismissed Geoff Marsh and David Boon, led to his selection for India's third ODI against Australia in Hyderabad.

Debut ODI Against Australia (1986)

On September 26, 1986, RP Singh made his ODI debut under Kapil Dev's captaincy. Notably, both he and Kapil Dev shared the same birth date—January 6—an unusual coincidence for opening bowlers in an international match. Greg Ritchie’s 75 off 53 balls propelled Australia to 242 for 6 in 47 overs. RP Singh bowled just 4 overs, conceding 19 runs, before rain interrupted play with India at 41 for 1.

Second and Final ODI

India won the six-match ODI series, leading to RP Singh’s selection in the fifth match. Raman Lamba’s century (102) and Kapil Dev’s explosive 58 off 31 balls helped India post 260 for 6 in 48 overs. RP Singh managed his only international wicket, dismissing Dean Jones (55 off 42 balls). However, Allan Border’s unbeaten 91 guided Australia to a comfortable seven-wicket win. RP Singh finished with figures of 1 for 58 in 9.4 overs. This turned out to be his final international appearance.

Post-International Career and Transition

Although he continued playing for Uttar Pradesh through the late 1980s and early 1990s, RP Singh’s international opportunities never returned. His only First-Class century came in 1990-91 against Vidarbha, where he scored 141 runs off 217 balls after Uttar Pradesh had collapsed to 80 for 6.

In 1995-96, he retired from domestic cricket, bridging the gap between Rajinder Hans and Gopal Sharma and the emergence of Ashish Winston Zaidi as Uttar Pradesh’s leading seamer.

Life in England and Coaching Career

RP Singh later moved to England after marrying a British citizen. He played in various league cricket competitions, including:

Burnley (Lancashire League)
Hyde (Cheshire League)
New Brighton (Liverpool Premier League)
Preston (Northern Premier League)
In 2002, he made a solitary appearance for Lancashire Cricket Board in the ECB 38-County Cup against Staffordshire.

In 2014-15, he was part of the MCC squad that toured Japan, contributing significantly with the bat and ball.

RP Singh pursued higher education at Gloucester University, obtaining a Level IV coaching certificate from ECB. He later worked with Lancashire County Cricket Club and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), helping nurture young cricketers. His son and daughter currently play age-group cricket in Lancashire.

Legacy and Reflection

Despite a short-lived international career, RP Singh Senior remains a part of India’s cricketing history. While overshadowed by his younger namesake, his contributions to Uttar Pradesh cricket and later coaching in England are significant. His journey from Ranji Trophy stardom to mentoring young cricketers in England exemplifies a passion for the game that continues beyond his playing days.