Taking wickets is my strength - Ojha

Mumbai Indians spinner Pragyan Ojha backed himself to attack batsmen and take wickets in T20s despite the possibility of giving away runs.

"The most important thing, as a bowler, in T20 cricket is to take wickets. I love to attack the batsmen and force them to commit mistakes. Taking wickets is my strength. Bowling a restrictive line is not my style. I believe in taking wickets even if it means that I may go for a few extra runs. Getting crucial breakthroughs is the needed thing in IPL," he told Times of India.

Ojha was suspended for an illegal bowling action in December, but he underwent remedial work and was cleared to bowl in February. He picked up a four-wicket haul on his return against Himachal Pradesh and collected four wickets in the Irani Cup before taking six wickets, including career-best T20 figures of 4 for 15, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

"Things are falling into place in the way I wanted them to be. I played a lot of games in the recent past and have done considerably well as such. A couple of T20 games for Hyderabad too have helped me get the much-needed confidence," Ojha said.

Kings XI Punjab coach Sanjay Bangar said every player in the team would have to prioritise form and fitness and perform well to earn a place in the XI.

"Whether it is Vijay or Viru, there is competition for every slot in our team. Whoever is hitting the ball well under pressure situations, is in peak form and fitness, will get a go," he told PTI

The competition extends to the bowling attack as well and Bangar drew confidence from the domestic form of Indian seamers. Shardul Thakur finished the Ranji season as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 48 wickets in 10 matches and Rishi Dhawan collected 40 wickets in eight matches. Anureet Singh and Sandeep Sharma also performed creditably, taking 32 and 28 wickets.

"The good thing is all of our boys have been involved with playing the game at some level. Lots of them have done well in the domestic season, so it augurs well for the team. The Indian fast bowlers look in fine touch especially the likes of Shardul Thakur, Anureet Singh, Sandeep Sharma, Rishi Dhawan," Bangar said