We didn't expect Pragyan to get India call, says father

''We never thought that Pragyan would be part of the India team for the ICC World Cup Twenty20 tournament,” said Maheswar Ojha, father of the Hyderabad spinner who has scalped 10 wickets from seven IPL matches so far.

“Despite his presence in the squad, Pragyan did not get a chance to play in the two T20 matches in New Zealand. So, we somewhat had written him off,” he said.

But the way Pragyan has served the Adam Gilchrist-led side in the cash-awash league, has subsequently forced his family members to change their mind.

“Especially his performance against Mumbai Indians was crucial where Sachin Tendulkar was among his scalps. In fact the little master also praised Pragyan’s bowling which was heart-warming,” father of the 22-year-old Orissa-born cricketer said.

“We lost it in between when Pragyan Ojha came on to bowl,” Mumbai Indian skipper Tendulkar said after suffering a 12-run defeat to the Hyderabad side in which Ojha bagged three wickets for 21 runs.

“I don’t think there is any change in his bowling. Just that he is maturing as a bowler. More confident now, he is bringing a lot of variation to his armoury. It’s all about mental toughness,” Maheswar Ojha said.

The Bhubaneswar-based serviceman also hopes that his son will keep up the good show in the T20 World Cup starting from June 5 in England.

“I am getting a lot of phone calls from the well-wishers. We are following all his matches closely and hope that he will continue with his success in the World Cup as well,” he said.