I’ve learnt not to throw my wicket away: Naman Ojha

South African wicketkeeper Dane Vilas is looking forward to the challenge of keeping on spinning wickets in India. The 30-year-old has been chosen ahead of Quinton de Kock for the Test series against India.

“De Kock is a very good player. AB de Villiers has also kept for SA in the past. But I am not focusing too much on that. I am going to do the job for the team and play as many games as I can. It shows there is depth in the squad; it’s good competition is going to help the team,” he said.

Vilas who played his only Test against Bangladesh which was washed out after the first day’s play is aware of the challenges he will face in India.

“This wicket is not a typical Indian one where there is more spin and spit out of the rough on day 4 and 5. It’s going to test you as a keeper. We don’t get the deterioration like here back home. I have prepared for it,” Vilas added after the end of the first day’s play against BPXI at Brabourne Stadium here on Friday.

Vilas said his prior experience of playing for South Africa A against India A in Wayanand would come handy. “It was a good experience in playing in these sorts of conditions. I had previously played in Champions League games but to come and play two four-day games is very good for me. Hopefully that experience of standing up to the spinners will help,” Vilas said.

He was satisfied with the way his team bowled on Friday. “We wanted to see all three spinners and they all bowled equally well at stages. There was not too much reverse swing, pitch was not abrasive and the outfield too was good.”

Indian wicket-keeper batsman Naman Ojha who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka recently said he has learnt to not give away his wicket. “I have been playing for a long time in domestic cricket, so I have learnt from my mistakes and the mistakes I made in Sri Lanka. I will not get out through my mistakes. Let the opposition take my wicket,” he said.

Ojha made 52 in 80 balls and felt the knock would give him confidence.

“It is important for me and for my confidence. If you have some runs behind you, it’s easy to play the next game,” he said.