Ojha moves to Mumbai Indians

Pragyan Ojha, the India left-arm spinner, has transferred from Deccan Chargers to Mumbai Indians for an undisclosed fee, ahead of the fifth season of the IPL . Ojha had been with the Chargers since the first season of the IPL, and took 62 wickets in 56 matches at an average of 22.19 and an economy-rate of 7.08. He was the leading wicket-taker in the 2010 edition of the IPL, with 21 wickets.

In 2011, Ojha played a less-prolific role for the Chargers. With legspinner Amit Mishra coming into the side, Ojha was restricted to playing just 10 of the 14 league games and took 10 wickets. He has now moved to the Mumbai Indians, who have Harbhajan Singh, the India offspinner, and left-arm spinner Ali Murtaza in their spin department.

Nita Ambani, the owner of the Mumbai Indians, said Ojha's international experience - he has played 14 Tests and 16 ODIs for India - was the reason her team had decided to buy him. "With a spinner of Pragyan Ojha's competence, we fortify our bowling department that has won us many matches in the past seasons," Ambani said. "Ojha is a player of great international repute, and we welcome him with much excitement."

Ojha became the sixth player to be traded in the IPL's January transfer window, which closes on January 20. There will be another short window for trading after the February 4 auction in which the players of now terminated franchise Kochi Tuskers Kerala will be sold.