India’s flamboyant wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Ojha could easily be considered a domestic stalwart who failed to work his charm in the international circuit. His international career started in the same year when Mahendra Singh Dhoni did a lot of damage to Ojha’s cricket career. Throughout his cricketing career, Ojha remained on edge and played a second role to the former Indian captain.
Ojha got his big break in the international circuit during the ODI match against Sri Lanka in June 2010. However, the wicketkeeper failed to impress as he lost his wicket after adding a run to the scoreboard. The Ujjain-born never got a second chance to prove himself in the one-day format as he was the first and only ODIZA to play for India.
As far as the purest format of the game is concerned, Ojha had bagged his first cap in 2015 against Sri Lanka. The keeper was seen as Dhoni’s successor. However, he added just 56 runs to the scoreboard in his only Test match and lost to wicketkeeper slot Wriddhiman Saha.
While a right-handed international career never took off, Ojha was a notable personality in India’s domestic circuit. Starting his cricketing career at the age of 14, Ojha rose up the ranks to establish himself as the mainstay of the Madhya Pradesh state team. The batsman initially impressed during the 2008–09 Challenger Trophy and since then, there has been no looking back.
Ojha has played 146 first-class matches, in which he has scored 9753 runs at an average of 41.7. The 38-year-old has scored 4278 and 2973 runs in 143 List A games and 183 T20Is, averaging 32.7 and 20.9 respectively. As far as IPL is concerned, Ojha started his career with 2008-champions Rajasthan Royals during IPL 2009. The batsman had a poor start as he was dismissed for a duck in the match against Deccan Chargers.
However, Ojha emerged stronger from the initial setback as he now has 113 IPL matches, scoring 1554 runs at an average of 20.7 and a strike rate of 118.3. The Ujjain-born has played his trade for teams like RR, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals.
Despite all odds, Ojha was still hopeful of a return to the Indian set-up, but he finally hung up his shoes by announcing his retirement on February 15, 2021.
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