Most first-class appearances by Indians before national call-up

#3 Naman Ojha - 111 matches

Naman Ojha's only Test came as a replacement for regular wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha against Sri Lanka in 2015

Always described as a rising talent and an extremely able cricketer, wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Ojha faced stiff competition first from MS Dhoni, who was India's Test captain for six years, and then Wriddhiman Saha, who has established his place in the side as a quiet contributor with crucial lower-order runs as well as commendable work behind the stumps. Ojha always remained on the sidelines only as a ready-made replacement, often ending up warming the benches and carrying drinks for the playing eleven.

His one and only Test appearance also came as Saha's replacement on the tour of Sri Lanka in 2015 - in fact, he is unfortunate enough to have played just 1 ODI and 2 T20s too - and while Saha was ruled out of Tests against England at home in late 2016 and against South Africa early in 2018, the selectors turned to Parthiv Patel, confining Ojha to domestic cricket yet again. In his only Test though, Ojha hit 21 and 35, besides affecting a total of 5 dismissals at Colombo (SSC).