Pragyan Ojha

Pragyan Ojha
Personal information
Full name Pragyan Prayash Ojha
Born 5 September 1986 (1986-09-05) (age 25)
Khurda, Orissa, India
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Batting style Left-handed
Bowling style Slow left arm orthodox
Role Bowler
International information
National side India
Test debut 24 November 2009 v Sri Lanka
Last Test 24 November 2010 v New Zealand
ODI debut (cap 174) 28 June 2008 v Bangladesh
Last ODI 22 August 2010 v Sri Lanka
Domestic team information
Years Team
2004/05–present Hyderabad
2008–present Deccan Chargers
2011–present Surrey
Career statistics
Competition Tests ODIs FC List A
Matches 13 16 45 53
Runs scored 47 41 381 146
Batting average 23.50 41.00 10.29 11.23
100s/50s 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0
Top score 18* 16* 35 20
Balls bowled 2,537 835 10,789 2,740
Wickets 53 20 178 65
Bowling average 41.60 30.05 29.44 31.32
5 wickets in innings 1 0 10 1
10 wickets in match 0 0 0 0
Best bowling 6/47 4/38 7/114 5/21
Catches/stumpings 3/– 7/– 17/– 18/–
Source: CricketArchive, 13 October 2010

Pragyan Prayish Ojha (born 5 September 1986) is an Indian cricketer. Debuting in first class cricket in 2004/05, Ojha is a left-arm spinner who has represented India at under-19 level. He finished the 2006–07 Ranji Trophy season with 29 wickets at 19.89, in just 6 games.

Ojha started playing in Shahid Sporting Club, Bhubaneswar. After studying in D.A.V Public School, Chandrasekharpur till 9th he joined Hyderabad cricket team. The young left arm spinner is known for his ability to flight the ball. Pragyan Ojha plays for the Hyderabad and the Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League. His highly successful campaign in the first season ensured selection in the 15-man Indian squad for the Bangladesh tour and Asia cup. He has performed exceedingly well in the 3 editions of IPL, earning the praise of his captain Adam Gilchrist. In IPL 3 he was awarded the Purple Cap for picking up the most number of wickets in the tournament. As a result, he was called into the national limited overs squad and made his ODI debut. He was all the more successful in the second season, which ensured his selection in the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 in England.

His debut match was against Bangladesh on 6 June 2009, in which took 4/21 in four overs, a terrific spell in T20 format. He was awarded Man of the Match for his outstanding and match-winning performance. However, after an indifferent performance in the first match in the Super Eight stage against the West Indies, which India lost, he was dropped in favour of all rounder Ravindra Jadeja, another left arm finger spinner.

In November 2009, Ojha made his Test debut in the Second Test against Sri Lanka in Kanpur, usurping Amit Mishra and gaining figures of 2-37 off 23 overs and 2-36 off 15.3 overs in India's 100th Test win. He then took five wickets in the Third Test in another innings win for India. Despite taking nine wickets at 28.66 in two Tests, he was then dropped in favour of Mishra as the second spinner for the tour to Bangladesh. Ojha became the 800th and final Test victim of Muttiah Muralitharan, the highest wicket taker in Test history.

In August, 2011 he signed to play for Surrey for the final few weeks of the 2011 season.[1] His 24 wickets in 4 games helped Surrey to promotion to Division One of the LV County Championship.

In November, during the First Test of the West Indies' Tour of India he staged a marvelous comeback taking 6 wickets for 79 runs in the first innings.

Contents

Inspiration

In an interview, Pragyan Ojha said that Venkatapathy Raju, who was also a left-arm spinner, inspired him to play for India.[2] He credits Anil Kumble for his success.

Personal life

Pragyan Ojha tied nuptial knot with Oriya girl Karabi Baral on 17 May 2010. The marriage was held with complete Oriya traditions, customs and rituals.Marriage was held at a Bhubaneswar based hotel Mayfair.

External links

References