Former India wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Ojha has been drafted into the Desert Vipers squad for the DP World ILT20.
Ojha, 39, comes in as a replacement for Dinesh Chandimal who has been called up for domestic duty by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board. Ojha is expected to join the squad on February 5, ahead of the Vipers' first play-off game, on February 8 in Dubai.
Desert Vipers Director of Cricket Tom Moody said: “We’re sorry that we’re losing Chandimal; although he didn’t play, he was a superb influence around the squad and provided great back-up to Sam Billings; we’re delighted to get Naman in as his replacement.
“He’s a player who’s played at the top-level, has played high-level franchise cricket in the IPL and he’s someone I have worked with at Hyderabad, so I know his qualities. He will be a terrific addition to the squad as we move to the business end of the DP World ILT20.”
The wicket-keeper batsman meanwhile is thrilled at the opportunity to join the Desert Vipers and Naman Ojha said: “I am really excited about being part of the Desert Vipers team in the DP World ILT20. After retiring in 2021, I have been looking for wicket-keeping and batting opportunities in franchise teams. So, this is a terrific opportunity for me.
“I have been following the DP world ILT20 for the last two weeks, and I find this tournament really interesting. It is being played in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi, where conditions are similar to those in India, so I feel if I have the chance to play, I can make a difference to the team I am picked for.”
Naman Ojha began his cricket career playing for the Madhya Pradesh side in 2000-01 as a 17-year-old, and he has represented India one Test (2015 against Sri Lanka), a One Day International and two T20 Internationals.
On the domestic circuit Ojha has played 146 First Class matches, 143 List A and 182 T20 games, with impressive tallies of 9753, 4,278 and 2,972 runs respectively. Following that successful two decade long domestic career Ojha retired from all forms of cricket in 2021 with the aim of exploring opportunities in global franchise leagues. He has played for the Indian Premier League sides Hyderabad Sunrisers, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals).
