India was always blessed to have huge reserves of potential when it comes to spin bowling, both traditionally and contemporarily. Today, India has Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja in the Test line-up and Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav in white-ball cricket.
Since Anil Kumble hung up his boots and Harbhajan Singh went out for favour, it was the likes of Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha who helped the Indian team during the transition phase.
The Hyderabad left-arm spinner clinched over a hundred wickets in his brief Test career. Since making his debut for India in ODIs back in 2008 season, Ojha was once a regular feature in all formats of the game for India, under the leadership of MS Dhoni.
Further, Ojha was also part of IPL winning teams during his stint at Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians, along with Rohit Sharma. However, the off-spinner could not make the cut into the Indian side after the famous Sachin Tendulkar-farewell Test match, back in 2013.
It was on Friday when the 33-year-old finally decided to call it quits from all forms of cricket with immediate effect.
As soon as the news broke, former legendary cricketers as well as the present ones, poured in their wishes, bidding farewell to the ex-Indian international.
Here’s how they paid their tribute to the career of Pragyan Ojha:
.@pragyanojha, it was always great to see your big heart & skill at work. You made my last Test special by picking 10 wickets.
Welcome to the second innings club, my friend! 🙂 pic.twitter.com/Yh70ldAMSG— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 21, 2020
Ojhi, what a pleasure it has been to share some exciting memories whilst playing for India and Mumbai Indians. Our friendship goes way beyond the cricket pitch. Look forward to seeing you on the other side and passing on some knowledge to the next generation. 😊👍 @pragyanojha https://t.co/yQjcBD2tHy
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) February 21, 2020
Jitna khela , badhiya khela Ojha. Bahut chain ki neend sojha . All the very best in life post retirement.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 22, 2020
Congratulations @pragyanojha on a memorable playing career, it was a pleasure playing with you from the under 16 days. All the best for your next innings buddy. 👍🏻
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 22, 2020
Best of luck my friend 👍 Congratulations on a wonderful career. All the best for the future @pragyanojha. God bless ✌ https://t.co/oYWstmAtsA
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) February 21, 2020
All the best ojh see u on the other side 👊🏽👏🏽
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) February 22, 2020
All the best going forward Ojhi @pragyanojha pic.twitter.com/WUc5dgSIKW
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 21, 2020
Congrats @pragyanojha for a wonderful career and all the best for your second innings. Good Luck Buddy! pic.twitter.com/1ctepPhKoF
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) February 22, 2020
Congratulations @pragyanojha on a wonderful career. Was great being part of your journey and see you evolve from a young talented spinner to a world class bowler. Wishing you a successful and fruitful 2nd innings🤗🤗 https://t.co/eoGBi3tnnG
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 21, 2020
Congratulations bhaiyoo.. @pragyanojha on a great career.. very fortunate to have known you as a person nd to have played with you.. beautiful memories! All the very best for ur future endeavors..will miss seeing ur magical spells..
— ATR (@RayuduAmbati) February 21, 2020
Ojhi congratulations on wonderful career..all the best for the 2nd inn..@pragyanojha
— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) February 21, 2020
Congratulations brother from another mother on an outstanding cricketing career. We r so proud of U 4 wat u hav achieved on cricket field. Being d quickest left arm spinner ever 2 pick 100 wkts in test cricket for India 🇮🇳 2 so many other achievements. May God bless u always🤗 https://t.co/FBQFaZN8IS pic.twitter.com/4U4WeMTgB9
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) February 21, 2020
Congratulations brother man !! Good luck see u soon !!
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) February 21, 2020
Congratulations on your illustrious career…am sure u will shine in whatever you take up next 😁🤗
— Gutta Jwala 💙 (@Guttajwala) February 21, 2020
Congratulations Ojhi on your wonderful career. It was always fun to share dressing room with you bro. Best wishes for your second innings 👍🏻 have a happy retirement 🤗 @pragyanojha https://t.co/rFIcOWwawe
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) February 21, 2020
It’s always tough to call it a day but I am sure you have made a right decision. I have enjoyed many moments with you on and off the field. Wishing you all the best for your new innings, Prgayan.
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) February 21, 2020
Ojhi, ojhi,ojhi…. Congratulations
And all the best for new inninng
🤘🏽🤘 @pragyanojha pic.twitter.com/skFGK2QxMb— praveen kumar (@praveenkumar) February 21, 2020
Congrats Pragyan on a wonderful career in the field. All the very best for the future my friend 👍👍
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) February 22, 2020
Congralution pragyan on a wonderful career & all the best for second innings
— Naman Ojha (@namanojha35) February 22, 2020
Pragyan Ojha has retired from all forms of cricket!
He represented India in 48 matches across formats between 2008 and 2013 and picked up 144 wickets. pic.twitter.com/lQbBeC7zwW
— ICC (@ICC) February 21, 2020
Congratulations on your career, Pragyan! 👏
Who remembers his 6-8 for Surrey at @NorthantsCCC back in 2011? 😳 https://t.co/KcVWTPe8J1
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) February 21, 2020
