Probably the front-runner among India's upcoming left-arm spinners, Pragyan Ojha has converted the promise he showed at age-group levels to first-class level too. For good measure, he improved markedly in his second season, ending up among the top 10 bowlers by the end of the league stage of the 2006-07 Ranji Trophy, with 29 wickets at 19.89 in six games for Hyderabad. Consistent performances on a twin tour of Zimbabwe and Kenya earned him another shot with India A, against South Africa at home, and he took eight wickets in an innings victory in Delhi.

It wasn't long before Ojha earned his ODI call-up, for the tri-series in Bangladesh and the Asia Cup in Pakistan, in June 2008, after a successful turn-out for the Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League. He debuted against Bangladesh and made an impact with three outfield catches and an absolute ripper of a delivery which foxed Raqibul Hasan to claim his maiden wicket. A couple of tidy performances in the Asia Cup followed which helped him win a place in the 16-man squad for the Tests against Sri Lanka. It was a while later before he actually made his debut in the five-day game, when Sri Lanka came over for a return series, and Ojha did not do too badly at all in his first game. Ojha has performed creditably in the limited ODI opportunities he has been given and the hope is that he won't be sidelined due to the rather unfortunate game of musical chairs that India's selectors tend to play.
Jamie Alter January 2010