13 Interesting Facts about Naman Ojha

13 Interesting Facts about Naman Ojha: The perennial wait has been worth it and Naman Ojha finally has a Test Cap. If anybody deserves it, Ojha has to be that guy. He played exceedingly well on India A’s last tour to Australia and has been in sublime form in last few months. And guess what the debutant in the ongoing third Test, is the most experienced player in the Indian eleven when it comes to first class experience. He has been piling up tons of runs in the Ranji Trophy for fun and finally the selectors noticed and gave him a chance after the injury to Wriddhiman Saha in the second Test.

Here we tell you 13 interesting facts you need to know about the classy wicketkeeper batsman:

1. First class debut:

A capable top-order batsman and wicketkeeper, Ojha made his first-class debut for Madhya Pradesh in 2000-01.

2. The limited over success:

Ojha tasted success in the limited-overs format when he made his mark in the 2008/09 Challenger Trophy, scoring 96 in a match for India Green.

3. The IPL debut:

Ojha represented Rajasthan Royals in the 2009 edition of the IPL played in South Africa. He opened the batting for the Royals and played some important innings scoring two half centuries and hit 11 sixes in the tournament.

4. The India call up:

After the 2010 IPL, Ojha was selected in India’s second string squad for the limited overs tour to Zimbabwe as the backup wicketkeeper when the selectors decided to rest several senior players including MS Dhoni.

5. Not a memorable start:

The series against Zimbabwe in 2010 did not go too well for Ojha as he failed to do anything substantial in the 3 ODI matches he got to play.

6. A ton after a long gap:

In November 2013, Ojha hit the tenth century of his first-class career in Mahdya Pradesh’s first innings against Bengal. This was Ojha’s first fifty-plus score after 13 innings.

7. Too near yet too far:

In March 2014, Ojha scored 94 and nearly guided Madhya Pradesh to victory, but tight bowling from Railways resulted in MP falling eight runs short.

8. A classy Knock:

Ojha scored unbeaten 65 to guide Central Zone to a win in a tricky chase against East Zone in the quarterfinals of the Deodhar Trophy 2014.

9. A new IPL team:

In 2014 IPL auctions,he was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a sum of 83 lakhs.

10. What an innings:

He played an explosive 79 run knock off just 36 balls in the last IPL against the Kings XI Punjab, and guided Sunrisers Hyderabad to a 200 plus total and eventually an easy win.

11. Celebrating in style

In his 100th first-class match Ojha scored hundred in both innings while playing for India A against Australia A at Allan Border Field, Brisbane in July 2014.

12. A great Ranji season

He made a mark in the 2013-14 domestic season for Madhya Pradesh, scoring 835 runs in seven Ranji Trophy games, his best returns in over a decade of domestic cricket.

13. Warming the bench

In July 2014, he was named into India’s Test squad for remaining two Test in England after reserve wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha got injured.