Want to keep things simple: Ojha
First Published : 06 Dec 2011, 18:30
Last Modified : 06 Dec 2011, 18:30
Hyderabad, Dec 6: Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha had a good outing with the ball in the recently concluded Test series against the touring West Indies claiming 20 wickets from three matches including two five-wicket hauls. The youngster is looking forward to his maiden tour to Australia and has consulted veteran Hyderabadi cricketers VVS Laxman and Venkatapathy Raju while preparing for the forthcoming series.
Ojha believes that adapting to the conditions quickly would be the key to picking wickets. "I am trying to prepare myself. Most probably we are going to play a couple of practice games in Australia, so hopefully I will get exposure to the conditions and wickets there," he was quoted as saying by a cricket website.
"It’s all in the mind. When you are going there representing your country, I don't think anything should be [on your mind] except the game. I want to keep things very simple and very straight […] I just want to go there, see the wickets and conditions and acclimatise, rather than think about other things. Hopefully, I [can] start on a positive note," he added.
Asked about his chances of making it to the playing XI considering Ravichandran Ashwin’s good run with the bat as well, Ojha stated, "As a cricketer, I don't want to focus on selection. My job is to work hard and just deliver what is required for the team. I just want to focus on my job rather than think about selection.”
The 25-year-old was wary of becoming complacent on the basis of his recent good show for India. “I don't take anything for granted. My coach told me, ‘Never take your place for granted. When you are playing at that level, you have to perform and be there on merit’."
Coming into the Indian team after almost a year’s gap, has his successful showing against the West Indies given him a much-needed boost? "It was a most [necessary] performance because I was playing Test cricket after one year’s gap. It was a very important series for me as far as my career is concerned."
