KalingaTimes Correspondent
Bhubaneswar, May 30: Cricket lovers of Orissa are now a happy lot. Promising left-arm spinner Pragyan Prayish Ojha, who hails from Khurda, has found a berth in the Indian team.

A member of the Deccan Chargers squad in the India Premier League, Ojha was on Friday selected for the 15-man Indian squad for the Bangladesh tour and Asia cup in Pakistan next month.

Although Ojha played for Hyderabad Ranji team, cricket lovers here were all happy over his selection for the national team.

They were thrilled because it was at the city's Saheed Sporting Club that Ojha had started his cricketing career. He also played in some tournaments organised by Orissa Cricket Association before shifting his base to Hyderabad.

“The selection of Ojha in the Indian team would certainly encourage the young cricketers in Orissa,” said senior coach Bijay Mania.

Twenty-one-year-old Ojha became the fourth Oriya to find a berth in Team India. Debashis Mohanty, Shivsundar Das and Sanjay Raul had earlier played in the Indian team.

Born on September 5, 1986 in Khurda, Ojha also represented India at under-19 level.

Ojha was inducted as a member of the Deccan Chargers team primarily for his performance in Ranji Trophy matches. Playing for Hyderabad , he finished the 2006-07 Ranji season with 29 wickets at 19.89, in just six games.