IPL 2016: Naman Ojha confused regarding selectors' demands from him
Sunrisers Hyderabad wicketkeeper-batsman, Naman Ojha has been one of the prolific performers in the Indian domestic circuit for years. Despite scoring regularly in domestic cricket the 32-year-old has made only two international appearances for the national side.
The wicketkeeper-batsman, who is a key member of the SRH team spoke about their fantastic season so far. The Hyderabad-based team is on the verge of making it to the playoffs of the IPL after a disappointing campaign last year.
In a recent interview with DNA India, the Ujjain-born cricketer said, “We've got some good fast bowlers. Our batting, bowling and fielding all are clicking at the right time. Clicking at the right time is most important. Everybody is really good in this tournament, but the key is when you click as a unit, and in what situation. That is happening with us this year.”
Ojha has been an integral part of the team, especially with his clinical wicket-keeping, taking some spectacular catches in one of which which turned out to be a match-winner against the Delhi Daredevils.
Confident about his keeping
The wicket keeper batsman who plays the Ranji Trophy for Madhya Pradesh elaborated on his improvement behind the stumps, saying, "I think I'm consistent with my wicketkeeping for last 4-5 years. Even in the last IPL, my wicketkeeping was clinical. Even in domestic cricket, I have been really neat behind the stumps.”
Ojha made his Test debut last year when India toured Sri Lanka but hasn’t been able to cement his place in the team. With a long season of Test cricket coming up the Madhya Pradesh-cricketer is focusing on a comeback.
“Yes, I'm confident of a Test comeback, definitely. I've played one Test in Sri Lanka, and I've done really well in that. I got a crucial partnership with the bat and did very good behind the stumps as well. I took some good catches at crucial times. So I'm very confident that with my form in this IPL with the gloves, I'll get a look in. There are 13 Test matches next year, so my focus is on that,” quipped Ojha.
After making his international debut in 2010 against Zimbabwe where he only managed to score a single run and since then hasn’t played a ODI yet. The right-handed batsman has been one of the highest scoring wicketkeeper-batsman in the first-class cricket for the last four-five years but hasn’t got many opportunities to prove his talent on the international stage.
He said, “Yes, it is frustrating. I've done well in India 'A' series, in domestic cricket for 6-7 years. I've got more than 8,000 runs in first-class cricket. What can I say? They (selectors) said that they want a good wicketkeeper, not a batsman. So I improved my keeping. Then they told me that 'no we want a good batsman also'. I've done that also. The focus keeps shifting, whatever I do well, they shift the focus on the other things. That I can't help. Plus, I'm from a smaller state, so that works against me more than others.”