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India Test team call-up came after injury to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha
I have waited very long; just looking to enjoy my game and enjoy this moment: Naman Ojha
Wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Ojha says he will be "under pressure" to perform if he makes the playing eleven in the decisive third Test against Sri Lanka, starting Friday, after the freak injury to Wriddhiman Saha opened the door for him after a "long wait".
"There is a little bit of pressure. Yes, because I have got this chance after a very long time. But I am not thinking about it. I have waited very long and I am just looking to enjoy my game and enjoy this moment," said Ojha, in anticipation of his Test debut.
"It was an absolutely amazing feeling to be called up for this Test. It felt really good. I am preparing well, and playing against Australia ‘A’ last month was good. So I am in a good shape and, fingers crossed, I will perform well," he added.
Ojha played one One-Day International (vs Sri Lanka) and two Twenty20 Internationals way back in 2010, on the short limited-overs' tour of Zimbabwe. Since then he’s been on the fringe, on tour as second or third wicketkeeper.
"I played only limited-overs' cricket and then was dropped. I went to the domestic circuit and worked hard. I kept telling myself that I need to work hard to play well again.
“Most of all, I needed to keep scoring runs and more runs and more runs. I kept myself fit so when the next chance comes I can make the most of that," said the Madhya Pradesh stumper.
Asked if he has introduced any changes in his style of wicketkeeping or batting, he replied in the negative.
"No, I am not changing anything or not trying to develop anything. Whatever I am, I want to be the same player. The wicket can have turn and bounce, but I love to play my shots.
"When playing for India ‘A’, seniors told me to just spend some time, so I was spending some time in the middle. But, I think, I spent too much time; usually I don't."
Asked if there are any specific players he looks up to, he replied, "I used to watch Adam Gilchrist play. He was an excellent wicketkeeper and an aggressive batsman. I watched Brad Haddin in the first Ashes Test. I watched how he was keeping to the spinners and how he was moving for the fast bowlers."
Ojha admitted that he has difficulty keeping to spinners, as it is not always easy to gauge the turn and bounce.
"In the sub-continent it is always difficult to keep to spinners because you don't know which ball will turn or bounce. But I am working hard at it."