With the Indian Board deciding to rest all the key players, the tri-series in Zimbabwe has given the youngsters a golden opportunity to stake claim for the remaining slots once the seniors return for the Asia Cup and the tournaments to follow
With the Indian Board deciding to rest all the key players, the tri-series in Zimbabwe has given the youngsters a golden opportunity to stake claim for the remaining slots once the seniors return for the Asia Cup and the tournaments to follow.
|
| Ojha leaves for Zimbabwe this morning. Pic/Atul Kamble |
Sri Lanka is the third side in the tournament and India will also play two T20 games against the hosts later.
But the absence of seniors on the field also means that the youngsters will be without guidance, especially since Suresh Raina will also be leading a touring party for the first time.
But Pragyan Ojha, who will be one of the side's main bowlers despite playing just nine ODIs, is not worried about the missing seniors and more importantly, playing under an inexperienced leader.
"I think as a spinner, what one really wants is a captain who hasu00a0 faith in you. Someone who believes that you can do the job for him in any given situation. Suresh and I have been playing together since our India A days," Ojha told MiD DAY ahead of their departure for Zimbabwe yesterday.
"We get along really well and for me that is important. If a captain trusts you, he will allow you to set the field according to the way you want to bowl. And that allows a spinner to open up and really express himself and bowl better. There can be problems if a captain does not have faith in you. As far as I am concerned, I am not worried about Suresh leading the side as he has faith in my bowling and that's the most important thing," Ojha added.
Ojha, who has been one of the biggest benefactors of the Indian Premier League, also felt that rather than worrying about the absence of seniors in the side, it was important to concentrate on the task at hand.
"This is a golden opportunity for all of us to show that we belong at the international level. And rather than thinking about what is not in our hands (absence of seniors), I would rather just concentrate on bowling well and doing a good job.
