CHENNAI, Aug. 22: A few hours before the start of the IPL final in Johannesburg, skipper Adam Gilchrist was a nervous man. In keeping with his habit of penning down predictions he wrote: ‘Will win by 16 runs and man of the match, Pragyan Ojha’. It was crucial for Ojha to do well for the Deccan Chargers against Bangalore Royal Challengers. The left-arm spinner took the award, playing his role to perfection by picking up three key wickets.

Ojha was the Chargers’ golden boy in South Africa but the ride got a touch bumpy since then, and he is now out of the squad for the Sri Lanka tri-series and the Champions Trophy.

"There is no point talking about what has happened. Selection is not in my hands. My job is to put this behind and get on with the game. As long as I keep bowling well and pick wickets I am sure of being in the scheme of things. I have always given my best in the limited opportunities I have received," he said.

To Ojha’s credit, he is positive and has not let this setback affect his bowling. After the IPL, the Hyderabadi did his cause no harm in the World T20. But he never got to play in the four ODIs in the West Indies.

The selectors have had comforting words for him. "Ojha has not done badly, it was just that we thought a leg-spinner would add to the balance of the side," said a selector. Reportedly, Ojha found a great supporter in skipper M.S. Dhoni when the selectors met in Chennai to pick the team for Lanka and South Africa.

Another factor working for Ojha is the appointment of former Indian spinner Venkatpathy Raju as coach of the Hyderabad Ranji team. "Working with Raju has been a big advantage. He keeps things simple, there are no complications in his methods. He allows a player to develop. The finer points he provides are useful in match situations," explained Ojha.

Luckily for the youngster there is enough cricket to stake a claim. After the Buchi Babu tournament here, Ojha will play the BCCI Corporate Trophy for Bharat Petroleum and the Champions League for the Chargers. "These are going to competitive tournaments and I am totally focused on the Ranji Trophy. I want to play the lead for Hyderabad and take the team forward," Ojha said.