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Ojha gears up for maiden trip Down Under
PTI
Last Updated IST

"I am trying to prepare myself. Most probably, we are going to play a couple of practice games in Australia. So, hopefully I will get exposure to the conditions and wicket there in Australia," he told PTI here today.

Though it is his maiden tour to Australia, he said it does not matter as he would like to keep the focus on the game.

"It is all in the mind. When you are going there, representing your country, I don't think anything should be there except thinking about the game.

"I want to keep things very simple and very straight in the way that I just want to go there, see the wickets and conditions and acclimatise, rather than thinking about other things. Hopefully, I start on a positive note," he said.

Ojha said he has spoken to fellow Hyderabadis -- V V S Laxman and Venkatapathy Raju, who have the experience of playing in Australia.

Asked how does he see his chances of playing in Australia as India may opt for three seamers and a spinner with R Ashwin doing well with the bat, Ojha said he is not worried about selection matters.

"As a cricketer, I don't want to focus on selection. My job is to work hard and just deliver what is required for the team. I just want to focus on my job rather than thinking about selection," he said.

Asked if the shortage of good left-arm spinners in the country helped him, he asserted that he does not take his place for granted.

"I don't take anything for granted. My coach told me never take your place for granted. When you are playing at that level, you have to perform and be there on your merit," he said.

Ojha said the Test series against the West Indies turned out just the way he wanted and gave a much-required fillip to his career.

"It was a most wanted performance because I was playing Test cricket after one year gap. So, it was a very important series for me as far as my career is concerned," he said.

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(Published 05 December 2011, 16:12 IST)