16 January,2017 08:36 AM IST | | mid-day online correspondent
True to his name, Pacer Rudra Pratap Singh shows his 'rudra' side to a fan asking for selfie during Ranji Final. Incident goes viral after fans capture him snatching the fan's mobile and throwing it away on camera
Watch video: Pacer RP Singh's rude behaviour with fan will shock you
RP Singh goes for the phone. Pics/Screengrabs from YouTube
Left-arm pacer R P Singh has been one of the reasons why Gujarat managed to lift their maiden Ranji Trophy this season. Singh, who moved to the Gujarat side from UP in 2015, took four wickets to ensure that Gujarat beat Mumbai, who have clinched the title a record 41 times and were also the defending champions,
But recently, Rudra Pratap Singh struck a sour note by his rude and totally unjustifiable behaviour with a fan.
The incident took place during Mumbai's second innings on the fourth day of the Ranji Final at Indore's Holkar Stadium while the pacer was manning the boundary line.
An upset RP Singh takes the phone from the fan's hand
A fan, probably a kid, asked RP for a selfie. The video that captured the incident shows Singh standing near the boundary line and approaching the fan, who is standing behind the barricades. The fan extends his hands through the fencing and can be heard saying, "photo please, ek selfie lelo, ab tumhe Gujarat ko support karna padega." (Please click a selfie, now you will have to support Gujarat).
Now, it could be that RP was agitated over the state of play since Mumbai were in ascendancy at the time or it could be that he was still carrying forward the anger from being booed by spectators on Day 3 or it could be that he felt the fan was taunting him regarding his change of loyalties from UP to Gujarat. Be as it may be, the former India fast bowler is seen grabbing the smartphone from the kid and throwing it to the ground.
RP Singh walks off after throwing the mobile phone to the ground
The former India pacer had earlier lost his cool after being booed by fans on Day Three of the Ranji Trophy final against Mumbai.
Bowling from the Colonel CK Nayudu Pavilion end at the Holkar Stadium, Singh was into Gujarat innings' 48th over when fans started yelling at him to take a wicket. Just before the last ball of the over, the 31-year-old was engaged in a discussion with the mid-off fielder when one fan shouted: "Bate kam karo aur bowling dalo" (talk less and bowl). Singh, who was outraged with the comment, immediately showed his middle finger to the fan. The incident was not caught on television, but mid-day spotted the ugly incident. After completing the over, the 31-year-old former Uttar Pradesh returned back to his allotted fielding position when he made a rather awkward sign to the fan again.
While it is important that spectators maintain some decorum and behave properly while watching a match, it is imperative that, no matter what the provocation, cricketers don't cross the boundary and being disrepute to the game.
The repeated rude behaviour of the 31-year-old speedster, who has represented India in 14 Tests, 58 ODIs and 10 T20Is, with cricket fans is shocking and needs to be dealt with appropriately by the authorities.
HERE'S THE VIDEO:
