Former Indian cricketer Pragyan Ojha recently shed light on a pivotal piece of advice he received from Indian captain Rohit Sharma, which has greatly influenced his approach to the game. Ojha, who played for India between 2008 and 2013, reflecting on his career, highlighted the importance of being a “match-winner,” a mantra instilled in him by Sharma during their U19 cricket days.
Ojha, who enjoyed a respectable international career, featuring in 24 Tests, 18 ODIs, and six T20Is, discussed his experiences and the lessons learned from playing alongside some of India’s best cricketers. Among his notable interactions was the time spent with Rohit Sharma, who emphasized the importance of standing out by making a decisive impact in matches. “The best advice I received was from Rohit Sharma when we were playing U19 cricket. He said, ‘Everyone wants to play for the country because we have come at the U19 level. But if you want to play for India for a long time, then you need to be a match-winner,’” Ojha revealed.
This advice has been a cornerstone of Ojha’s cricketing philosophy and underscores the competitive nature required to maintain a long-term career in international cricket. His reflections come as the Indian cricket team faces challenges in their ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka, trailing 1-0 in the three-match series. The first ODI ended in a tie, and the second saw India fall short by 32 runs, highlighting struggles with middle-order collapses.
Ojha also reminisced about the toughest opponent he faced during his career—West Indies powerhouse Chris Gayle. “Chris Gayle, especially in the T20 format, was a formidable opponent. The way he plays against left-arm spin and leg-spin made it challenging. I relished the opportunity to bowl to him and always increased my intensity. Off the field, Chris Gayle is known for his humor and light-heartedness, which makes him a unique character,” Ojha said.
As India gears up for the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo, the team’s performance remains a topic of focus. Sri Lanka’s win in the second ODI was built on solid contributions from Avishka Fernando (40), Kamindu Mendis (40), and Dunith Wellalage (39), who helped their side reach 240/9 in their allotted 50 overs. For India, Washington Sundar (3/30) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/33) led the bowling attack, while Mohammed Siraj and Axar Patel also chipped in with crucial wickets.
During the chase, India’s top-order, featuring captain Rohit Sharma (66) and Shubman Gill (35), began promisingly with a 97-run partnership. However, Jeffrey Vandersay’s exceptional spell of 6/33 dismantled the Indian middle order, leaving India at 147/6. Although Axar Patel (44) fought valiantly, India was eventually bowled out for 208 runs in 42.2 overs. Charith Asalanka also contributed significantly with the ball, claiming 3/20.
As the Indian team looks to regroup and bounce back, Ojha’s insights into the mindset required to excel at the highest level of cricket serve as a valuable reminder of the attributes needed to succeed. His reflections on the importance of being a match-winner and handling the pressure of top-level cricket continue to resonate within the sport.
