It has always been a proud moment for every cricketer to play an international match in front of his own people
Ojha at the CCI during the Irani Cup in March. Pic/Suresh Karkera
It has always been a proud moment for every cricketer to play an international match in front of his own people. However, local boy and Madhya Pradesh wicket-keeper batsman Naman Ojha will have to witness Indore host its first Test, sitting comfortable on a sofa in the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association’s (MPCA) guest lounge at the Holkar Stadium today when Virat Kohli and Co take on New Zealand in the final Test of the three-match series.
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Ojha, who played only one Test for India—against Sri Lanka in Colombo last year, accepted that he had missed out on the opportunity to play on his home ground, a venue that gave India its first Test skipper in CK Nayudu. Mushtaq Ali, also from the city, was the first Indian cricketer to score a Test ton outside the country (112 against England in 1936 at Old Trafford).
"I felt sad to have missed the opportunity to play a Test on my home ground. I would have loved to play against New Zealand in front of my home crowd. I will be there for the match and have received an invitation and two passes also for it. It will be a moment of pride for all of us to have a Test venue in the state," Ojha told mid-day yesterday.
The 33-year-old, who scored 21 and 35 runs against the Island nation, took four catches and contributed with one stumping in a match India won by 117 runs. Ojha is optimistic about his comeback into the Test side.
"Though I am out of the Test team, I am confident to make a comeback again. I am practicing very hard and with consistent performances in the ongoing domestic season, I will definitely get a chance to represent my country once again," Ojha added.
The smart ’keeper, who started learning the tricks of the game on the same ground (earlier called the Maharani Usharaje Trust Cricket Ground) when he was just 13 years old, said the first Test in the city will inspire several budding cricketers in the state.
"The Indian team will be in the city for almost a week. Seeing them practice and playing in this Test will definitely inspire youngsters from the state to play more Test matches. This Test will certainly motivate several cricketers to fulfill their dream to play for India," Ojha explained.
Giving an insight about the pitch, Ojha felt the Holkar strip would be a sporting one. "Initially, it will help the seamers, but if you give it around one hour to the bowlers, then scoring runs will not be that difficult. Spin will have an effect from the from the third day," he added.
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