Pragyan Ojha looking forward to IPL 7

Pragyan Ojha

Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha has said that he is keenly looking forward to the Indian Premier League 2014 auctions set to take place on February 12 and 13. He is one of those players who have a very high base price of Rs 2 crore at this year’s auction. Although the bowler was an integral part of the Mumbai Indians outfit, the Mukesh Ambani-owned team had decided to let go of the 27-year-old.

IBN Live quoted Ojha as saying: “There are things which are not in your hand. I was not disappointed when Mumbai did not retain me. I am still in the auction race. I would have been disappointed had the team left me out for non-performance. I performed for my team. Look, whichever team selects me at the auction, I will do well for them and give my 100 per cent.

“I am a professional. I am not getting emotional over my non-inclusion. It’s part of the game and you have to accept that. For me, the team should miss my services, and not me who should be missing the team. Let’s see what happens in the auction.”

The defending IPL champions retained five players in Rohit Sharma, Lasith Malinga, Kieron Pollard, Harbhajan Singh and Ambati Rayudu. Along with Ojha, they have released quite a few key names such as Mitchell Johnson, Dinesh Karthik and Dwayne Smith.

Ojha has won the IPL title with two teams – Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians. He was also a part of the Mumbai Indians squad that won the Champions League T20 in 2013.

He further said, “You develop a liking for a team and its environment when you turn up for them. I was part of Deccan Chargers for four years and played for Mumbai for two years in the previous editions. I have a soft corner for these two sides. I hope to get back to Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians again during the auction.”

In the last season, playing for Mumbai Indians, Ojha had picked up 16 wickets from as many matches. Overall, he has played 79 matches in the IPL, accounting for 85 wickets. He was the Purple Cap award winner in season three for picking up the most number of wickets in the tournament.

The spinner said that he is eyeing domestic tournaments to be match-fit by the time IPL 7 arrives.

“I have a fair amount of time in my hand. I am improving my fitness level and working on my basics. I would be playing in some domestic matches for Bharat Petroleum, Corporate Trophy, Ranji Trophy one-dayers and T20s. I want to be match fit before the IPL.”