New Delhi, Nov 2:
Under scanner left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha today found a surprise visitor in legendary Bishan Singh Bedi, who dropped in at the Feroz Shah Kotla on the final day of the Duleep Trophy final to have an interactive session with him and three others.
Former left-arm spinner Bedi spoke to Ojha, new batting sensation KL Rahul, talented Baba Aparajith and leggie Shreyash Gopal in a separate lounge room of the Kotla pavilion.
“I laud Pragyan for wearing half-sleeves while bowling. It is a brave attitude indeed I must say. He (Pragyan) knew where he was going wrong all along but he is working on it. I wish him all the best,” Bedi told PTI referring to Ojha’s action and the long drawn debate regarding wearing full sleeve shirts allegedly trying to hide the elbow kink.
Ojha, who has 113 wickets from 24 Tests, first time bowled wearing half-sleeves during South Zone’s Duleep Trophy semi-final against East Zone.
The youngsters heard the legendary left-arm spinner with rapt attention as he spoke for about an hour and half “on the game, its mental aspects and ways to succeed at the next level.”
Bedi picked up young Rahul for special praise.
“I watched Rahul’s centuries on television. I wanted to personally congratulate him. He is a fine young player and I am hopeful that he will serve Indian cricket for a long time,” said the former India captain, who has 266 wickets in 67 Tests.
Bedi said that it was an enriching experience talking cricket with these youngsters but he didn’t give them any specific tips.
“Youngsters nowadays are far more receptive and mature than earlier years. It was a good session and we spoke on various aspects of the game.”
Ojha when asked later said that “Bedi sir dissected what went wrong during our chase and the mistakes that we made on the final day. The wicket was keeping low.”
Rahul, while leaving the premises said that “it was really a nice interaction with Bedi sir”.
Even South coach Hemang Badani was all ears during Bedi’s session with the cricketers which he termed a “good one”. (PTI)
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