I’m fully prepared:Yousuf

By Shamik Chakrabarty

Dhaka

June 9: Coming from a breakthrough Indian Premier League series, Yusuf Pathan is confident personified. The elder Pathan with his big hitting prowess and crafty off-spinners is biggest trump card in the Indian team.

Pathan spoke to this newspaper about his preparations after the practice session on Monday.

Excerpts:

On his possible debut: Playing an one-day international for the country is a big honour, bigger than playing in the Twenty20 World Cup.

On his preparations: I am prepared. We had a couple of good sessions yesterday and today. But it’s important to perform well in the match. There is no pressure at all. I am enjoying my time here. If the team management selects me in the XI, I will try to live up to the expectations. In any case, I will play my natural game.

On his experience being with the Indian team: I am learning new things everyday. Cricket is a team game and we have a great team bonding. Even the newcomers have the space to express their thoughts.

On shifting gear from IPL to ODI: Here my job will be different from what I did in the IPL. This is definitely a bigger responsibility as I am playing for the country. But I thoroughly enjoyed the IPL stint and am also very happy here. As far as adjustment is concerned, you have to do it because that is the demand of the game.

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Ojha ready for long haul

By Our Correspondent

Dhaka

June 9: From the quiet suburbs of Khurda to the Hyderabad Ranji team and then to India ‘A’ and the Deccan Chargers and finally to the Indian team – life has changed gradually for young Pragyan Ojha.

For the left-arm spinner, who got the call up for the tri-series after 11 wickets at 25.81 in the IPL, it’s just the beginning.

Ojha wants to play for the country and cement his place. He knows his turn will come. "It’s a great experience to be a part of the Indian team. It gives me an opportunity to rub shoulders with the best players of the country and learn from them, and I am fully utilising this opportunity," the 22-year-old told this newspaper on Monday.