[WATCH VIDEO] Ashish Nehra Stuns Virat Kohli With His Football Skills In His Farewell Game
Veteran Indian pacer Ashish Nehra played his last international game when the Men in Blue played the first T20I of 3-match series against New Zealand at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday. He had been off the field many times struggling with injuries in the past.
Nehra had first played for India in a Test against Sri Lanka back in 1999. A little over 18 years later, the left-arm pacer played his last. The T20 format had not even taken shape at the competitive level when he started playing for India. It was not before 2009 that Nehra was actually introduced to the shortest format for India.
But he delivered like always and he now happens to be India’s third highest wicket-taker in T20Is behind R Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah with 34 wickets from 26 matches. He was successful in one-day cricket too with a tally of 157 wickets in 120 matches.
Nehra’s most iconic moment on the field for India came during the 2003 World Cup against England when his 6/23 helped India to a comprehensive win.
The 38-year-old came back to the international side after four years for India’s tour of Australia in January. A few weeks back he had announced an end to his 18-year old International career. Ashish Nehra was the toast of the day as India outclassed New Zealand by 53 runs in the first Twenty20 match.
Although Nehra could not impress with his bowling skills and ended with figures 4-0-29-0, he did impress skipper Virat Kohli, bowler Yuzvendra Chahal and every viewer in the stadium with his football skills while fielding in the deep. His neat footwork drew a huge round of applause from each and everyone.
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How’s that for footy skills from our very own Nehraji? What do you make of that @YUVSTRONG12 😉 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/YaTeJk5d0t
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 1, 2017
But, his last game is also notable for one more reason as this is the first time India have beaten New Zealand in a T20I from six attempts.
Earlier, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to field first. Riding on brilliant fifties from both Team India openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, the Men in Blue posted a total of 202 in 20 overs. The Kiwi batsmen faded in the chase from the onset and kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
Consequently, India beat New Zealand by 53 runs and took a 1-0 lead in series.