Ashish Nehra out to prove a point after T20 recall

Sudhir Gupta 06:50 14/01/2016
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  • Up for the challenge: Ashish Nehra.

    Left-arm fast bowler Ashish Nehra has not played for India for nearly five years and even though age is not on his side, the 36 year old wants to prove his mettle in the T20 series against Australia and hopefully taste success during the World T20 at home in March.

    Nehra last played for India in the 2011 World Cup semi-final against Pakistan but after sustaining a finger injury, he was overlooked for a long time before being recalled on the back of an impressive 2015 IPL.

    “I was surprised when they weren’t picking me for the last two-three years to be honest,” Nehra was quoted as saying by espncricinfo. “Better late than never, hopefully I can do well. If I go to Australia and play the World T20 and deliver, people will say ‘Oh, he should have been there earlier.’

    “If I don’t, people will say, ‘It was right that they didn’t pick him!’ That’s how it works in India. Whatever is gone is gone, I am just looking forward and hopefully everything will go my way.

    “I have always worked hard to play international cricket. Once you have been there, you know how much pleasure you get playing for India. There were times when it was very difficult for me to motivate myself to go to the gym or ground and train.”

    The left-arm seamer added that it was important for national selectors to nurture fast bowlers so that they can have a longer career than he has had.

    “For ODIs and T20s, you have to choose your five-six bowlers, that these are the guys we are going to back,” Nehra said. “I know it is very difficult sometimes for the captain and selectors; sometimes when you lose series you are picking different bowlers and nobody settles in. Injuries are a major part of fast bowling as well.

    “If somebody says India doesn’t have talent, I won’t agree. But the only thing is you have to look after them well, nurture and support them. When Test cricket is not on and you have three-four bowlers who only play T20s and ODIs, you have to keep an eye on them. How to look after fast bowlers is very important.”

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