Ojha played four county championship matches for Surrey last season

Pragyan Ojha took 6-72 in the first innings against the West Indies

Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha believes his spell with Surrey in the LV= County Championship has been a key factor in his impressive return to India’s Test side.

The 25-year-old played four games for Surrey, taking 24 wickets to help the county win promotion back to Division One.

His performances did not go unnoticed and he returned to the Indian test side for their ongoing match against the West Indies.

Ojha took his maiden five-wicket haul in the longest form of the game and finished off with 6-72 in the first innings. He opened the bowling in the second innings and has figures of 1-7 off seven overs.

“I spoke to seniors like Anil (Kumble), Harbhajan (Singh), Rahul (Dravid) and (VVS) Laxman when I was out of the team and they all advised me to go and play county cricket,” said Ojha.

“When you play there, you are given a lot of responsibility and they expect you to win games for them. That helps you grow as a cricketer.”

West Indies are 21-2 in their second innings, 116 runs ahead of their hosts at the close of day two.