Don’t miss the latest developments in business and finance.

Best phase of my career as far as batting is concerned: Naman

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Nov 10 2014 | 6:00 PM IST
Naman Ojha's name has been in contention for a while owing to his stupendous form with the bat in the past 12 months and the Madhya Pradesh wicketkeeper-batsman is therefore "not surprised" at his inclusion in the 19-member Test squad for the Australia tour.
"I am happy that I am a part of the Test squad but I must say that I was hopeful after my performances for India A in Australia and Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy. I have played first-class cricket for a while but this is the best phase of my career as far as batting is concerned," the 31-year Naman told PTI from Nagpur, where he is playing for his state in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Ojha will be vying for a Test spot alongside Wriddhiman Saha as regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will not play in the first Test. But he is not at all perturbed about the fact that Saha is way ahead in contention for a Test berth.
"I don't want to think about competition and me standing at a threshold of a Test debut. I will try my best to perform in the practice games and take it from there," said Ojha, who is expected to come back once Dhoni lands in Australia before the second Test.
For Ojha the last four months have been like a dream as he scored a hat-trick of centuries (219 no, 101 no and 110) for India A in Australia followed by 217 against North Zone in the Duleep Trophy.
"Obviously, scoring runs in Australia gave me tremendous confidence. I got the self belief that I could score runs in alien conditions against international bowlers (James Faulkner, Mitchell Marsh, Moises Henriques were in 'A' team). The best part was that I was consistent throughout," said Ojha, who scored 61 in his team's six-run win against Railways today.

More From This Section

First Published: Nov 10 2014 | 6:00 PM IST

Next Story