Pragyan Ojha became the third fastest Indian bowler, after Erapalli Prasanna (20 matches) and Anil Kumble (21), to bag 100 Test wickets (22), when he dismissed James Pattinson in the fourth Test against Australia in New Delhi.
Making his Test debut against Sri Lanka in 2009, Ojha has taken 102 wickets from 22 matches. “I have always dreamt of playing for India and taking 100 wickets gave me a great feeling. But I still have a lot to learn,’’ he said.
The highest wicket-taker in the England series, he was surprisingly benched for the first two Tests against Australia. But he was undeterred. “It is important to be focused. I’m a seasoned and experienced bowler now,’’ said Ojha.
He feels any new season is important for any cricketer. “In November we will be playing Tests. I’m really focusing on that series and working on my fitness. I will play a lot of domestic games, starting from the league matches. I will concentrate on the four-day games, as it will help me get into a good rhythm. For a bowler it is all about rhythm as this gets you the momentum,’’ he pointed out.
Ojha is a firm believer of long and hard net sessions. “I try to get into a good rhythm by bowling long spells in the nets. I never miss any practice sessions before any new season. You train your mind for the tough matches in practice sessions. You try bowling at a single stump, you try your variations, you get to know how much loop you are getting,’’ he opined.
He is someone who has made a seamless transition into the shorter versions too. “As a player, a batsman or a bowler, one has to adjust. This should not disturb you and when you play for your country, a player should be ready for any challenge. Of course, T20 and Tests are different. But I have always felt when you bowl in Tests, you can be successful in all formats.
"In this IPL I was working with Anil (Kumble) bhai, who advised me to bowl without thinking whether this was IPL or Test. He said it will help you concentrate if you bowl your usual style.’’
According to Ojha, a spinner should not be afraid to flight the ball even in T20s. “Sometimes, I believe when you give the ball a little loop, the batsman finds it difficult to hit. If you bowl quickly and finish your four overs, it doesn’t work. The wickets are so good and it is easy for the batsman to come at you.
But if you bowl slow and mix up the pace of the deliveries, it becomes difficult for batsmen,” he said.
The left-arm spinner loves to interact with spinners like Kumble, Venkatapathy Raju and Kanwaljit Singh. “I have grown up watching Shivlal (Yadav) sir, Raju sir and Kanwaljit sir.
“They all gave the ball a good loop. I do discuss a lot with Anil bhai, particularly when planning to dismiss a batsman. This year during the IPL season with Mumbai Indians, the sessions with him were helpful. He taught me about the nuances of the variations.’’
Bowling in India and outside India is different, reckons Ojha. “In India, the wickets will help you, but outside you should vary your pace. Line and length are the key,” he said.
For any player, Ojha feels there will be pressure to perform. “There will also be ups and downs in one’s career. I have learnt to overcome. Whenever I get a chance, I make it a point to be an important member of the team.’’
Finally, he praised his skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. “Dhoni has always been a sort of inspiration. He plays and leads by example. He plays the game with a lot of enthusiasm and we will follow our leader,’’ he concluded.