Bowling to Sachin Tendulkar an education: Pragyan Ojha

April 3, 2013

Pragyan_Ojha

Hyderabad, Mar 3: Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojhabecame the third quickest Indian to reach 100 wickets when he scalped Australian James Pattinson in the first innings of the fourth Test at Delhi recently. The 26-year-old, who has 102 Test wickets from just 22 Tests, is also the joint highest wicket-taker in Tests from Hyderabad, equaling off-spinner Shivlal Yadav's mark. Ojha, who is in Bangalore preparing with Mumbai Indians for their opening game against Royal Challengers, said the IPL and his achievements on Tuesday. Excerpts:

IPL a boon: It's a great platform for youngsters. I was just a domestic player when I was signed up by the Deccan Chargers in 2008. After some good performances that year (11 wickets), there was no looking back. I went on to get my India cap. For youngsters, it's anawesome opportunity to rub shoulders with international stars and legends of the game. Even if one doesn't get to play many games, being in the same dressing room is in itself education.

Struggles: I had a really good time with the Deccan Chargers in the first four seasons (60 wickets in 54 matches). I struggled a bit after moving to the Mumbai Indians last season. And then, after doing so well against England, I got to play only two Tests in the recent series against Australia but was able to cross the 100-wicket mark. I have learnt to take disappointments in the stride. Such moments only make me mentally tougher.

Tendulkar effect: It's great to have someone like Sachin paaji in the dressing room. He is an inspiration for all of us as the energy, commitment and dedication he has for the game even after more than two decades of international cricket is just amazing. He is an awesome player and a wonderful person. I always love to bowl to him at the nets as I get to learn a lot from it.

Kumble factor: We have good support staff and that helps a lot in a tough competition like this. Having Anil (Kumble) bhai as a mentor is really proving to be a blessing for me especially. His vast experience and knowledge of the game is something that I want to tap into during this season. I will be working with him closely and look to become a better bowler.

New skipper Ponting: There is not much that I can say about Ponting. He is a proven match-winner and is not only a great batsman but also a wonderful captain. On top of it, he is a jolly good guy and gets along well with all the players. His very presence will be a big boon for the team.

Learning from Harbhajan: I consider myself fortunate to have played with Bhajji. I have gained a lot from him. To have a senior like him is always a great thing for a youngster.

John Wright: It is still early days with him. Haven't been able to interact with him much but he has tremendous knowledge of the game and I look forward to tap into it.

Batting: I have started working on my batting too with Wright helping me out in that area. I want to contribute to the team with the willow too as in a T20 game every run scored is vital.

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News Network
June 20,2020

Dhaka, Jun 20: Former Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza on Saturday tested positive for coronavirus.

The skipper had gone for a coronavirus Test last week, and now his reports have come back as positive, ESPNCricinfo reported.

As per a report in ESPNCricinfo, it is not known how Mortaza contracted the virus.

Mashrafe, also a member of the parliament from Narail 2 constituency, had stepped down as the ODI captain of the country in March this year.

Covid-19 cases have crossed 1,00,000 mark in Bangladesh and the government is now planning area-wise lockdown.

Bangladesh was slated to face Sri Lanka in July in a three-Test series and the side would have later hosted New Zealand in August, but both series look unlikely now.

The Asia Cup, scheduled for September, is also uncertain due to the coronavirus.

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News Network
April 8,2020

London, Apr 8: England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler has raised more than 65,000 pound (USD 80,000) to help fight the coronavirus by auctioning off his World Cup final shirt.

Buttler's shirt, which he wore when completing the last-ball run-out that saw England beat New Zealand at Lord's last year, was sold to raise money for specialist heart and lung centres provided by the Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals in London.

Buttler, who earlier in the showpiece match had hit a fifty and batted in the Super Over, put his long-sleeve keeping jersey up for sale on eBay a week ago.

By the time the auction closed on Tuesday, the shirt had attracted 82 bids with the winner paying 65,100 pound.

Buttler, speaking on Monday, said: "It's a very special shirt but I think it takes on extra meaning with it being able to hopefully go to the emergency cause.

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News Network
February 17,2020

Hamilton, Feb 17: Mayank Agarwal found form on his birthday and Rishabh Pant mixed caution with his customary aggression as India’s warm-up fixture against New Zealand XI ended in a draw here on Sunday.

The match was called off an hour after lunch with India reaching 252 for four just 48 overs into their second innings.

Agarwal, who had gone through a wretched period since the second Test against Bangladesh, retired on 81 off 99 balls with 10 fours and three sixes to his name.

To the relief of the Indian team management, Pant played in his customary manner to reach 70 off 65 balls, but also showed discretion when the opposition bowlers were in the midst of a good spell. There were four sixes -- two each off leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and off-spinner Henry Cooper.

While Sodhi was hit down the ground, Cooper was dispatched over extra cover on a couple of occasions. He didn’t curb his aggression, though, there were times when he was ready defend the spinners and also leave some of the deliveries.

Even though Pant is considered a better batsman than Wriddhiman Saha, the innings might have come too late in the day considering that the latter is a better keeper and possibly a more responsible batsman in pressure situations.

The biggest positive to have emerged from the New Zealand second innings is Agarwal’s poor run coming to an end. The Seddon Park track easing out was definitely a factor but Agarwal’s footwork was more assured as he played some glorious on-drives and pull-shots off fast bowlers.

Before this game, Agarwal had played 10 competitive games including first-class, ODIs and List A matches and couldn’t cross the 40-run mark in 11 completed innings. He even bagged a pair against New Zealand A in an unofficial Test match.

Once he had got his form back, he didn’t come out to bat after lunch giving Saha an opportunity to score an unbeaten 30, his runs coming mostly against non-regular bowlers.

The Agarwal-Pant pair added 100 runs in 14.3 overs and it also helped that part-timers like Cooper was introduced into the action.

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