Madhya Pradesh wicketkeeper-batsman Naman ojha is "not surprised" by his inclusion in India’s 19-member Test squad for the tour of Australia.
After all, he’s been in his stupendous form with the bat over the past 12 months.
"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 said from Nagpur, where he is playing for his state in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
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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 will return once Dhoni lands in Australia before the second Test.
For Ojha the last four months have been like a dream. He scored a hat-trick of centuries (219 not out, 101 not out 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 victory over Railways
On Monday.
Asked about his last four centuries, Ojha rated his second innings knock of 101 not out against Australia 'A' at the Allan Border ground in Brisbane as his best so far in first-class cricket.
"Keeping my first innings double hundred in mind, I would rate my second innings century as a better effort. We were five wickets down for less than 100 runs and there was a chance of losing the Test match. So that particular knock was special for me."
He feels that scoring more than 1000 runs in the last Ranji Trophy (1035 runs) was also a high point for him.
"As a player, you want to consistently notch up big scores and I was able to do that successfully in the Ranji Trophy last season. I would like to transform that in international cricket also," said Ojha, who feels that he has transformed as a batsman after exclusive sessions with Mumbai coach Praveen Amre, who takes private classes for players like Robin Uthappa, Ajinkya Rahane to name a few.
Image: Naman Ojha celebrates after scoring a double century during the Quadrangular Series match between Australia 'A' and India 'A' at the Allan Border Field, in Brisbane, on July 7, 2014.
Photograph: Matt Roberts/Getty Images
