Pragyan Ojha banned from bowling

[WindieWeathers]

Well well well!!..looks like a spinner from one of the "big three" has finally been caught with his pants down

Pragyan Ojha banned from bowling

Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha has been barred from bowling in competitive cricket after his action was found to be illegal. ESPNcricinfo understands that following a request made by the Hyderabad Cricket Association, Ojha's home association in domestic cricket, Ojha's action was tested at the ICC-recognised centre in Chennai. The tests, it is understood, concluded that Ojha's elbow flexed more than the permissible limit of 15 degrees.

The BCCI informed the HCA in a letter on Friday that Ojha cannot bowl in competitive cricket till his action is cleared, and the bowler was subsequently withdrawn from Hyderabad's squad for their Ranji Trophy game against Services, which begins on Sunday.

It is understood that Ojha's action had been under the scanner for more than a year now, which was one of the reasons why he disappeared from the selectors' radar despite being one of the quickest Indian bowlers to reach 100 Test wickets. Ojha is believed to have discussed the issue informally with the national selectors, which resulted in him getting his action tested in Chennai.

Purshottam Agarwal, the HCA joint secretary, admitted that the association had "received a letter" from the BCCI, but denied that the HCA had asked for Ojha's action to be evaluated. Hyderabad's coach Abdul Azeem, meanwhile, said he was surprised by the setback to his team, particularly since there had been "no whispers about it".

Former Test umpire AV Jayaprakash, a member of the BCCI's committee to eradicate suspect bowling actions, had told ESPNcricinfo in October that Ojha had been asked to undertake corrective measures in the past. Following Jayaprakash's claims, which came during the Duleep Trophy, Ojha started bowling in half-sleeves. In the Ranji Trophy this season, he bowled 133.4 overs in Hyderabad's three matches, picking up four wickets at 75.25. It is understood that Ojha did bowl his arm-ball throughout the season, a delivery which is believed to have come under the scanner.

Earlier this month, Ojha was released by Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2015 IPL season

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It's funny because some posters were giving me stick when i suggested he was dodgy after Narine was called ....i have to wonder why it took them so long to ban him tbh!!.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Actually, we gave you stick because you were saying it was some sort of conspiracy against the weaker nations. So if anything, this makes you look silly.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Personally thought Ashwin's action looked worse, but Ojha's obviously no Sarwan. Hope he works on his action and gets back soon. We need him in home tests.

 

[WindieWeathers]

Actually, we gave you stick because you were saying it was some sort of conspiracy against the weaker nations. So if anything, this makes you look silly.

They've slid this quietly under the radar after making a big song and dance about Ajmal, Narine and others...meanwhile india have Jadeja....so perhaps Ojha was dispensable?

 

[OverratedSanity]

Not really. He's a significantly important member of our bowling attack at home. We have Jadeja yeah, that doesn't mean Ojha is dispensable at all...he's a far better bowler regardless of conditions.

Anyway, I'm interested in what happens to Ashwin now.

 

[harsh.ag]

They've slid this quietly under the radar after making a big song and dance about Ajmal, Narine and others...meanwhile india have Jadeja....so perhaps Ojha was dispensable?

This seems under the radar to you because the local authorities themselves requested the test after observing his bowling action, unlike most other bowlers who have been called at the international stage.

It was a huge puzzle to Indian fans as to why he was dropped, since he was significantly better than Jadeja when he was dropped.

It is understood that Ojha's action had been under the scanner for more than a year now, which was one of the reasons why he disappeared from the selectors' radar despite being one of the quickest Indian bowlers to reach 100 Test wickets.

This also answers your "caught with his pants down" nonsense.

 

[Pratters]

I like Ojha. I wish he sorts things out. Must be shattering for him.

 

[Cabinet96]

If you'd been following the trading game you'd know he isn't from the "big three" anymore.

It's all a conspiracy against me of course.

 

[weldone]

If you'd been following the trading game you'd know he isn't from the "big three" anymore.

It's all a conspiracy against me of course.

 

[cnerd123]

Good stuff from the BCCI. Investigates and bans its own bowlers. Unlike other nations who wait for them to be called at international level.

One of the very, very few commendable things they have done in recent times.

 

[Niall]

Good stuff from the BCCI. Investigates and bans its own bowlers. Unlike other nations who wait for them to be called at international level.

One of the very, very few commendable things they have done in recent times.

Agreed,

Who is next?

Mills, Junaid?

 

[Cevno]

Surprised Ojha has been called on this. Don't think his action is that dodgy beyond the quicker ball.


Also, disagree with those saying that he is lot better these days than Sir Jadeja.

 

[Niall]

Surprised Ojha has been called on this. Don't think his action is that dodgy beyond the quicker ball.


Also, disagree with those saying that he is lot better these days than Sir Jadeja.

Not in limited overs cricket obviously, but Ojha has been immense in home tests. Jadeja has done ok at home as well, but surely you would rather Ojha in the SC?

 

[cnerd123]

Ojha, when he last played for us, was definitely better than Jadeja.

However since then his performances in IPL (he kept losing his length and didnt look in rhythm) and his effectiveness in domestic cricket have both left a lot to be desired. I think thats why we generally think Jadeja is a better choice.

As it turns out tho, all this is probably due to him being told his action is under scrutiny. The article says he has given up bowling the armball, which is a pretty major weapon in hois arsenal.

Hopefully he can bounce back quickly.

 

[eroticfishcake]

Junaid next.Pakistan have been hiding him for a few months

 

[cnerd123]

Wouldn't be surprised if several bowlers get reported during the WC. Narine, Mills, Junaid, possibly even Moeen. The Assosciates are likely to be carrying a few dodgy actions too.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Had a little pause in his action which deteriorated over time IMO, wouldn't be surprised to see him come back well with a smoother action that is still quite effective.

 

[Antihippy]

Running through India shouldn't be a reason to ban moeen.

 

[Daemon]

Actually, we gave you stick because you were saying it was some sort of conspiracy against the weaker nations. So if anything, this makes you look silly.

Haha yeah, unbelievable.

Good on the BCCI for identifying dodgy actions and doing something about them, unlike a certain other nation that seems content on hiding their dodgy bowler until the world cup is underway and he can't be banned in time.

 

[Arjun]

My cousin, once an umpire, called Shadab Jakati for throwing, which shook up the Goa spinner, who vowed never to throw again. He told me the actions of both Ojha and Jadeja were diabolical.

Good on the BCCI for identifying dodgy actions and doing something about them, unlike a certain other nation that seems content on hiding their dodgy bowler until the world cup is underway and he can't be banned in time.

This is not the first time, though. We've seen them ban Rajesh Pawar and Mohnish Parmar, who have been playing for long. That was a phase when they took out several bowlers for chucking. We even came across an Akash Chopra column where he complained about 'cricketers' livelihoods being threatened' by this initiative!