Pragyan Ojha

Arshdeep Singh goes past R Ashwin for this record in T20 World Cup history | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: India’s success in T20 World Cups has often been spearheaded by exceptional bowling performances. Several Indian bowlers have delivered match-winning spells, showcasing their talent on the global stage.Arshdeep Singh‘s career-best spell of 4/9, including two wickets in the first over, against USA in New York on Wednesday, marked the best bowling figures for India in the tournament’s history.His spell dismantled the co-host’s batting lineup, helping India to restrict USA to a below-par total of 110/8.Before Arshdeep, R Ashwin’s memorable performance in 2014 against Australia in Mirpur was the best figures by an Indian in the T20 World Cup. Ashwin’s 4 wickets for 11 runs were crucial in India’s victory, as he spun a web around the Australian batsmen, leaving them struggling to find runs.In 2012, Harbhajan Singh showcased his skills against England in Colombo, taking 4 wickets for 12 runs. His experience and guile were too much for the English batsmen, securing a vital win for India.Best bowling figures for India in T20 World Cups 4/9 – Arshdeep Singh vs USA, New York, 2024 4/11 – R Ashwin vs AUS, Mirpur, 2014 4/12 – Harbhajan Singh vs ENG, Colombo, 2012 4/13 – RP Singh vs SA, Durban, 2007 4/19 – Zaheer Khan vs IRE, Nottingham, 2009 4/21 – Pragyan Ojha vs BAN, Nottingham, 2009 RP Singh’s spell against South Africa in Durban during the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup remains iconic. His 4 wickets for 13 runs played a pivotal role in India’s campaign, helping them lift the trophy in the end.Zaheer Khan’s performance against Ireland in Nottingham in 2009 was another highlight. His 4 wickets for 19 runs ensured a comfortable victory for India, with his pace and accuracy proving too difficult for the Irish batsmen to handle.In the same 2009 tournament, Pragyan Ojha delivered an outstanding spell against Bangladesh in Nottingham. His 4 wickets for 21 runs showcased his ability to deceive batsmen with flight and turn, helping India secure a comprehensive win.These remarkable bowling performances underline India’s strength in the bowling department across different T20 World Cups. Each bowler brought their unique style and skill, contributing significantly to India’s successes in the tournament.

‘I expect him to play like a…’: Former India cricketer’s advice for Hardik Pandya | Cricket News

Danijones8 months ago04 mins

NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricketer Pragyan Ojha has urged Hardik Pandya to embrace the role of a “true leader” and rise to the occasion. Despite facing criticism, Hardik was appointed as the vice-captain of India’s 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup.Ojha expressed confidence in Hardik’s leadership capabilities and his prowess as an all-rounder. He stressed the significance of mental preparedness, highlighting the need for Hardik to be ready to take charge when circumstances dictate.Ojha’s endorsement underscores the belief in Hardik’s potential to excel not just as a player but also as a leader on the cricketing stage.“I expect him to play like a leader because he is next in command. If something happens to Rohit, we don’t want that, if anything happens, he (Hardik) will be leading the side, so he has to be prepared, he has to take that responsibility when he is batting,” Ojha said on Jio Cinema.Hardik’s journey since the October 2023 ODI World Cup match against Bangladesh has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. After recovering from an ankle ailment, he assumed the captaincy of Mumbai Indians for the IPL 2024 season, replacing Rohit Sharma. However, this decision sparked significant social media criticism, which evidently impacted the all-rounder’s confidence.Despite the adversity, Hardik has showcased glimpses of his batting prowess in the 2024 IPL season, scoring 197 runs at an impressive average of 150.38 in 10 games. However, his bowling performance has been less stellar, with only six wickets claimed at an economy rate of 11.0.Navigating through the highs and lows, Pandya’s resilience will be key as he seeks to regain his form and silence the critics, both on and off the field.Ojha, acknowledging Hardik’s significance in the Indian setup, lauded his ability to provide balance to the team. Despite the IPL ordeal, Hardik’s place in the T20 World Cup squad was never in doubt. His versatility as an all-rounder offered India the flexibility they needed, a fact not lost on selectors or fans.“For me, he is someone who will create that balance for the side. Every time we talk about Indian team selection, Hardik’s name always comes in. He creates that balance, he will give you that cushion. That you can have an extra batter or a bowler, wherever he is needed. That’s what we want him to do, to be mentally ready for the World Cup and just forget what is happening in the IPL and focus on the World Cup, that is more important,” Ojha added.(With IANS inputs)