Everyone was taken by surprise when Indian skipper MS Dhoni asked spinner Pragyan Ojha to open the bowling for India. It was the first time that a spinner was opening the bowling for India and he was up for the job.
A report in The TOI says that Ojha didn't disappoint as the slow left-arm orthodox spinner was spot on and did his job with diligence, claiming as many as four Kiwi wickets.
"Once the toss was done, Dhoni bhai was very clear that I was going to open the bowling. I was ready for it," Ojha was quoted in the report.
"The ball was new and it was difficult to grip. I was just sticking to basics and making the batsman play every ball. There was some moisture on the wicket and sometimes when there is moisture the ball grips. So wanted to make use of that," he further added.
A report in Deccan Chronicle writes Ojha as saying that even though the Kiwis took the ended the day strongly, he was pleased with the India’s performance as well.
While the Kiwis would claim to have taken the day’s honours, Ojha said India too were pleased with their efforts. “Zak (Zaheer) bowled superbly in his first spell,” he said.
There was one catch dropped, and if that had been taken then it would have been a different story. I think Ash(win) and Umesh bowled well too. Taking six wickets on this kind of a wicket, which is not doing much, was a good effort,” Ojha was quoted in the report
“The kind of batting we have, I am confident we can put up a good score.”