Pragyan Ojha opens up on the tough times he went through during bowling ban
Pragyan Ojha opened up on the tough times he had to endure after he was banned from bowling in competitive cricket last year due to a suspect action, ESPNCricinfo reports. Having returned to domestic cricket with a remodelled action, Ojha is confident of making a successful comeback to the national team.
The Odisha-born left-arm orthodox spinner was banned from bowling in any form of competitive cricket after his action was found to be illegal following the tests at the ICC accredited centre in Chennai in December 2014, which found that the 28-year-old’s elbow had a flex of more than the allowed limit of 15 degrees.
Revealing his first thoughts upon learning about the ban, Ojha said: "I was literally blank for a couple of days. I really could not understand what to do and how to go about it.”
Ojha also revealed that he feared his cricket career might have come to an end.
“I felt this should not end like this," he said. "I was very emotional about what happened but I was lucky to have great support and encouragement from my family and [VVS] Laxman bhai. They connected to me every day, they took my feedback, and also gave their feedback. The passion towards playing for the country pushed me."
Ojha was cleared to bowl by the BCCI in January after successfully passing the tests with a remodelled action. Talking about the tests undertaken by Ojha to get his action rectified, former Tamil Nadu spinner D Vasu said: "The training was pretty serious and intense. We focused on the wrist position. We have constant video feedback; it's a live feedback the way you correct muscle memory. We have a software in SRMC when a bowler bowls, and after about six seconds he can come back and watch it. Right now he looks fine."
Talking about his new action, Ojha felt that not many changes were made to his original one and added that he has now gotten used to his new style.
"Definitely [the action is more side-on]," Ojha says. "We tried different types of action to see which would suit me and helped me make things right. The unwanted body movement was corrected. It wasn't like I changed everything completely."
“It is an individualistic process if I can say that. Initially, I used to do some visualisations but slowly and gradually [the correction] sunk in and I started doing well. After playing five-six domestic games, it becomes more of a natural thing."
Ojha confident of comeback to the national team
Having played domestic cricket for Hyderabad for more than 10 years since making his debut in the 2004/05 season, he made the decision to switch to Bengal from the present Ranji Trophy season in the hope of better chances of representing the Indian senior team.
His impressive performances for India A in the unofficial two-Test series against Australia A, where he picked up 10 wickets, caught the attention of coach Rahul Dravid who praised Ojha’s attitude since his return to cricket.
"He has taken the bull by the horns: 'I have nothing to hide and I want to bowl with half-sleeves'. He must be applauded for that," Dravid said. "Because he has gone out there [with the thought] that I'm confident in my action and bowling and confident enough to wear a half-sleeve t-shirt."
He was included in the 30-man probables list for the series against South Africa and though he failed to feature in the T20 & ODI squads, Ojha is confident that a national team call-up is not too far away.
"Mentally and physically I am in a good space now," Ojha told ESPNcricinfo. "My aim is to take wickets, do well for the Bengal side, and win games for them. The compliment from Dravid boosted my confidence. It really inspires me to do well."
"The only things in my control are my bowling and my fitness. If I keep these things right, everything will fall in place. Other things are not in my control. I want to keep it as simple as that," he added.