Seeking a higher ground
Ojha, Tare will look to impress selectors in Irani Cup contest
MUMBAI: Naman Ojha will be among a slew of players hoping to strengthen their claim for a spot in the national team when the Irani Cup starts from Sunday at the Cricket Club of India’s Brabourne Stadium.
Ojha will be captaining the Rest of India team as they take on Mumbai, who claimed their 41st Ranji Trophy title last week at Pune.
Ever since Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s retirement from the longer format of the game, Wriddhiman Saha has taken up the mantle of India’s man behind the stumps, with Ojha slotting in for the Bengal player in one Test against Sri Lanka last year.
The Madhya Pradesh wicketkeeper is mindful of the fact that despite the Irani Cup not having the same lustre as the days of old, a good performance here will attract the attention of national selectors. It is said that Sachin Tendulkar was picked for India after shining in the Irani Cup match against Delhi in 1989.
“I think every game is important for me. I want to make an impression like I made in the last two games for MP in the knock-out stages. That’s what I want to repeat,” Ojha said after a training session on Saturday.
The match will also pit Ojha against Mumbai captain-wicketkeeper Aditya Tare, who after a stellar Ranji season, has boosted his claim as a contender for the wicketkeeper’s role.
Tare, who broke the record for the most dismissals in a season (48), has been in good nick scoring 569 runs from 16 innings. Ojha, in contrast, has scored 645 in 14 innings.
Ojha, however, was quick to dismiss the personal battle, saying: “I’m not worried about what the others are doing. I’m only looking at what I’m doing. My competition is with myself. I’ve done well in Sri Lanka, when I got a chance.”
With India expected to play over 15 Tests in the near future, a solid performance at the Brabourne Stadium could make or break Ojha’s claim to the Indian team.
MUMBAI’S IRANI WOES Mumbai are heavyweights in the domestic circuit, claiming the Ranji Trophy title for an unprecedented 41 times. However, the Irani Cup has not been their cup of tea. Mumbai last won the title in the 1997-98 season. “We know it’s been a long time since Mumbai has won Irani Cup. It’s a good challenge for us and good motivation to do something special again in this match,” skipper Aditya Tare said.
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