Naman has eyes on Test keeper spot

Naman Ojha, who has had a hard grind of over a decade and a half in domestic cricket, is eager to make the most of the chances he gets to get into the Indian Test team.

“It was good to play in Sri Lanka in the last Test and be a part of the series-winning team. I had done well and am hoping next year that I will be there when there will be 13-14 Tests. That’s why I am looking forward to this performance, looking forward to score runs and coming back in the eye (of the selectors),” said the Madhya Pradesh stumper on Tuesday. Both Ojha and the no. 1 Indian wicketkeeper in Tests, Wriddhiman Saha of Bengal, will be keeping wickets in the five-day Ranji Trophy quarter final starting here on Wednesday. But Ojha insisted that they were good friends and he takes tips and watches Saha closely when the latter plays.

“He’s playing Tests and is a good, agile keeper. I am learning from him by watching on TV. We are good friends and did have a chat (ahead of the game),” said Ojha.

“I just focus on my job and the rest will fall (into place),” said Ojha. The 32-year-old MP wicket keeper batsman is also interacting constantly with former India stumper Kiran More to improve his own performance. “I am doing some work with Kiran More sir, learning from him, specifically about keeping up to the spinners. Keeping to spinners in Indian conditions is challenging. “We talk regularly. He’s the best to get advise from.

Sometimes, you don’t know what mistakes you commit. Sitting outside he can see that,” said Ojha.