Home boy Pragyan Ojha happy with effort

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On a rain-curtailed day, the Indian spinners basked the most in the limelight, taking six New Zealand wickets for 94 runs.

Hyderabad’s very own left-arm spinner, Pragyan Ojha, played a major role in the demolition, scalping 3 for 44 in the first innings and 1 for 13 in the second.

Speaking after the day’s play was called off, Ojha said he was happy with his performance in front of his home crowd. “It was a good wicket.

Playing here, where I grew up, I would have preferred a five-wicket haul, but still, I’m very happy with three wickets.”

Ojha said the pitch was slowly deteriorating, with a marked difference from the second day. “There is still some bounce in the wicket, but while it was turning a bit in the first innings, the turn was definitely sharper in the second. Bowling on such a wicket fills me with confidence.”

Ojha said the team are not worried in the slightest after the day was washed out. “We have two more days to come, and we’re confident of dismissing New Zealand for a second time.”

Ojha and Ashwin, both young spinners starting their careers, are beginning to form a potent combination. “India has always had produced great spinners and we would look to follow in their footsteps,” Ojha said.