Pragyan Ojha: Crucial decisions went against us

A few decisions went against Rest of India on Day 3 of the Irani Cup clash at the Chinnaswamy stadium and Pragyan Ojha mentioned that Karnataka would have been in an uncomfortable position had things gone their way. The left-arm spinner finished with figures of 2/93 at the end of the third day's play, even as Karnataka amassed a lead of 321 runs with R Samarth (81), Karun Nair (80) and Manish Pandey (73*) coming good with the bat. However, things would have been dicey for the hosts had the umpires ruled in favour of ROI, especially when there were some close shouts against Pandey in the final session.

Speaking after the day's play, Ojha said he preferred not to speak about the umpiring in the game, but he did mention that a few decisions could have gone ROI's way. "That is something I am not allowed to comment upon, but I could say that had a few decisions gone our way, which were very crucial at that point, it would have been a different scenario."

While Rest of India will face a stiff target on a pitch that will get harder for the batsmen, Ojha was confident that ROI batsmen will be up for the challenge as it provides them a platform to be recognised.

"We have got the best batsmen from the country. They are looking to do well and it will be good for them as well as the team, as their aim is to play for the country. This is a big platform, and if they play well in the second innings and we do well, they will be recognised," he said.

"Right now they [Karnataka] have got 300 odd runs, which is a good score for the fourth innings. We will aim to play as long as possible. With bowling, the simple thing is to take wickets and stop the runs."

Ojha, whose last Test appearance was during Sachin Tendulkar's farewell series against West Indies, had a good chance of making a Test comeback against the Caribbean team in 2014. However, it turned out to be a tough few months for the left-arm spinner ever since West Indies abruptly pulled out of the Indian tour. Even as he tried to make his way back into the Indian team by focussing on domestic cricket, Ojha was reported for a faulty action and had to make a lot of changes and undergo multiple testing to get back on the field.

"Yes, it is very disappointing when you know there is a home series coming up and suddenly West Indies players went off and the tour was called off. You feel bad when you are aiming to play for a country and lose a chance. I am not saying I would have been selected automatically, but there would have been a chance. As a player, when there is a chance you would definitely look to get into the team. It has been a tough year for me, but I am really happy with that I am bowling the way I wanted to," said Ojha, when asked about his year of hardship.

Despite having had to rectify his action, Ojha has looked a confident bowler and the 28-year-old said things are working out well for him "I am really happy. This is just the second first-class game I am playing after what I went through. I am happy with how things are shaping up. I have been troubling the batsmen, and that's what is important. I always thought that whatever I do to my bowling, I should not lose that penetration. I am still continuing with that."

Meanwhile, Samarth, who came up with a fine show with the bat and was involved in three half-century stands, said he was disappointed at missing out on a well-deserved hundred. "Obviously, it's very disappointing because it's an Irani Trophy game and to get a hundred will be very pleasing. To have got very close and to have not got that three-figure mark, I think it was disappointing."

Both Samarth and Karun Nair were dismissed in the eighties but they did manage to put Karnataka in a strong position at the end of the third day on a pitch that was a bit two paced. Samarth, who said that Karnataka are looking at giving ROI a target of around 400, also mentioned that the wicket was slowing down, but he backed the bowlers to pick up ten wickets.

"I think it's become a bit slower. It used to come on (to the bat better). It is swinging throughout but it's become a bit slower off the wicket. And, it's keeping up and down. The bounce is not even and the cracks are also widening," he said. "I'd definitely back the bowlers to get 10 wickets (in five sessions). I think the pressure will be on them [ROI] because on the fourth and fifth day, the wicket will be very difficult for them to bat on."