Frustrating to be sidelined despite good domestic form: Naman Ojha

The Sunrisers Hyderabad have had a fantastic season so far, all but making the playoffs. What is it that has clicked for you this season that didn't last year?

We've got some good fast bowlers. Our batting, bowling and fielding all are clicking at the right time. Clicking at the right time is most important. Everybody is really good in this tournament, but the key is when you click as a unit, and in what situation. That is happening with us this year.

Your wicketkeeping has been clinical behind the stumps, taking some brilliant catches at crucial moments. Have you focussed more on that aspect this season?

I think I'm consistent with my wicketkeeping for last 4-5 years. Even in the last IPL, my wicketkeeping was clinical. Even in domestic cricket, I have been really neat behind the stumps.

Some franchises this season have opted to go in with non regular wicketkeepers. Do you think that's a risky trend, since you're taking an entire skill out of the game?

It depends on the team management, but I think wicketkeeping is a very important position. And a regular wicketkeeper should fulfill that requirement, not someone who doesn't keep regularly.
Chances will come in crucial times. If you take it, it's good for the team.

Do you wish that you were given the opportunity to bat at the top of the order? You've not really batted at a fixed position this season...

Whenever I get a chance up the order, I'll prove it. I love to bat at the top of the order, at No. 3. I've done very well at that position. But due to the competition in our team at the spot, I've been shifted to 5, 6. I've been given so many different numbers, but I think I've done well wherever I've batted. The team management wants me to finish off matches at this point of time. So I'm trying my best.

You played just one Test against Sri Lanka last year. India have a long season of Test cricket coming up. Are you confident of making a comeback?

Yes, I'm confident of a Test comeback, definitely. I've played one Test in Sri Lanka, and I've done really well in that. I got a crucial partnership with the bat, and did very good behind the stumps as well. I took some good catches at crucial times. So I'm very confident that with my form in this IPL with the gloves, I'll get a look in. There are 13 Test matches next year, so my focus is on that.

You have scored heavily in domestic cricket, and have been knocking on the national doors for quite some time now. Yet you have played just one Test. How frustrating is it that you've created your chances, but have got just one?

Yes, it is frustrating. I've done well in India 'A' series, in domestic cricket for 6-7 years. I've got more than 8,000 runs in first class cricket. What can I say? They (selectors) said that they want a good wicketkeeper, not a batsman. So I improved my keeping. Then they told me that 'no we want a good batsman also'. I've done that also. The focus keeps shifting, whatever I do well, they shift the focus on the other things. That I can't help. Plus, I'm from a smaller state, so that works against me more than others.

What was the biggest thing you learnt from that one Test you played?

You need a lot of focus, lot of discipline, lot of fitness. You need high levels of fitness to play Test cricket. So I did that, but I saw something that I had to improve, so I'm working on that.

Like what?

Keeping to spinners on turning tracks. That's really challenging because you need to keep anticipating as to when the ball will come to you. One more thing that is really important is fitness. That level should really be high, because Test cricket demands high fitness levels. So I'm working on that.