Indian left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha speaks exclusively to espnstar.com on his dream spell on debut against Bangladesh and more.

By Pamela Dutta

Ojha made a brilliant debut for India, rattling the Bangladesh batsmen with a four wicket haul at Trent Bridge. His achievements have all the more significant given how cold the conditions have been in England, especially in the evenings, under lights. Here he talks to espnstar.com on his role and the team. Read on.

Q: Are you surprised that you have been given the opportunity to play here in the T20 World Cup?

PO: Not at all. I think I got this opportunity because I have been bowling well in the top of it. I really bowled well in the IPL before coming to England.

Q: Could you anticipate that you would be chosen even for the first month?

PO: It all depends how the team management plans the combination. At the moment India are playing with two spinners. Hence, I got the nod.

O: India are playing all their matches in the evening. Aren't you feeling cold? Any problems to grip the ball?

PO: Yes, it is a bit chilly in the evening. But one has to accept it. In fact it was pretty cold in South Africa during the IPL. This has been helping me a lot in bowling here.Griping the ball in cold weather was always a problem, but one needs to get used to it as early as possible. As I told you earlier the cold weather in South Africa has been helping me a lot to get tuned in the early part of summer in England.

Q: Did you ever play in England before this?

PO: Yes, I did. Two years before I played in the Hudder's Field League. It was also pretty cold then. I am using that experience now here in this tournament.

Q: What was you immediate reaction when you won the Man of the Match award on debut?

PO: I was really very happy because that was my debut match for India in the World Cup and winning the Man of the Match award was something like an icing on the cake. I am doubly happy that I got four wickets in four overs.

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Q: Were you under pressure when the Indian captain called you to bowl since the Bangladesh batsmen were going great guns?

PO: Not at all. I always try to back myself. I knew if I could vary the pace then I would definitely be able to create pressure on the batsmen.

Q: What is your plus point?

PO: Change of pace and flighting the deliveries. I always try to deceive batsmen with flight and I always concentrate on using the crease.

Q: What is your next goal?

PO: To play as many matches as possible. I am grateful to skipper MS Dhoni and coach Gary Kirsten for having faith in me. I will always try not to let them down.

Click here to watch Ojha's dream spell

Q: Did you collect the ball with which you got four wickets which helped you to win the Man of the Match award as well?

PO: Yes, the ball which will be in my custody all through my life. How can you forget you first Man of the Match award? I am really working hard to collect many more such balls.

With crucial players like Chris Gayle, Virender Sehwag, Daniel Vettori and Kevin Pietersen nursing injuries, is the slam-bang version of cricket starting to take its toll on the players? You know where to write in with your thoughts. Write in to us at: fanspeak@espnstar.co.in