“You need to be a match-winner”- Pragyan Ojha on the best advice he received from Rohit Sharma

India’s former left-arm orthodox spinner has opened up on the best advice he received from Rohit Sharma. Ojha played with Rohit for a long time and shared a great bonhomie with the current Indian captain. 

Ojha recalled when Rohit told him at the Under-19 level that one has to be a match-winner if he wants to play for the national team for a long time. Meanwhile, Ojha played 24 Test matches, 18 ODIs and six T20Is for the Indian team in his career.

The left-arm spinner also played with Rohit Sharma for Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League.

Speaking on Sony Sports Network, Pragyan Ojha said, “Best advice I received was from Rohit Sharma when we were playing U19 cricket. He said, ‘Everyone wants to play for the country because we have come at the U19 level. But if you want to play for India for a long time, then you need to be a match-winner.'”

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma is one of India’s biggest match-winners and recently led the team to glory in the T20 World Cup. The Indian skipper scored 257 runs in eight matches to lead from the front.

On the other hand, Ojha picked Chris Gayle as the toughest batter he ever bowled to, especially in T20 cricket. Gayle was a beast in the shortest format and was known to obliterate the opposition with his pugnacious batting.

​​”Chris Gayle, especially in the T20 format. Because the way in which he bats against left-arm spin and leg-spin, it was difficult. I used to relish the challenge of bowling to him and used to increase my intensity. However, off the field you know Chris Gayle is a funny person and always keeps the atmosphere light.”

Rohit Sharma will lead India in the third ODI against Sri Lanka, which will be played at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Wednesday.