Pragyan Ojha has come of age in just seven Tests. The left-arm spinner’s stint in the demanding conditions of Sri Lanka has made him only tougher. The youngster said that the tour has given him enough confidence ahead of the two-match Test series against Australia.
Injuries to fast bowlers Zaheer Khan and S Sreesanth had upset the team’s bowling department on the tour. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh too was not completely fit. It was up to the young and inexperienced shoulders of Ojha to handle the spin department on subcontinent batting wickets.
Ojha bowled with guts and gumption and also played a crucial role in team’s series leveling win in the third Test, where the left-arm spinner scalped seven wickets.
“It wasn’t easy bowling in those conditions but I really enjoyed the challenge,” Ojha told DNA. “My performance in the third Test has certainly boosted my confidence and I hope to do well against Australia,” he added.
Ojha admitted that there was some kind of pressure on him due to lack of experience in the bowling. “It was a challenge to bowl on those conditions. There was some pressure but I did not think about it too much and just went on to do my job. The team supported me to the fullest, which eventually gave me confidence to put up a good show,” said Ojha.
“Zaheer was ruled out, Sreesanth got injured, Bhajji bowled his heart out in the first two Tests but was out with injury in the third Test. With no experience the pressure was on me and (Amit) Mishra. But I think we bowled really well and coped up with the pressure. Playing in tough conditions and handling different situations is what Test cricket is all about. I am happy that we bounced back ,” Ojha said.
“In Test, you have ample of time and the challenge is to get those wickets whatever the conditions are. You have to come out with something new and out bowl the batsman. I hope to continue the same way,” he said.
Ojha said that Harbhajan has been of major help to him. “Whenever I have some doubts, I go to him and he keeps advising me,” he said.
Ojha has made it to the history books by becoming the 800th victim of Muttiah Muralitharan in the Galle Test. The 24-year-old said it is a mixed feeling for him. “I don’t know exactly. It is a pretty mixed feeling. I did not want to give away my wicket and tried very hard to stay there, but then becoming his 800th victim is not bad either,” he joked.
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