Ashish Nehra, the 38-year-old Indian pacer has been playing cricket and serving team India since 18 years. He seems to decide to halt his career soon in the coming series against New Zealand. Ashish Nehra will bring the curtains down on his long career, where he had been in and out of the Indian side.
Ashish Nehra was recently named in the Indian team for the ongoing T20I series against Australia. Nehra has made a remarkable comeback last year to the national setup after being out of action for half a decade.
The veteran left-arm seamer has made quite a name for himself, had made it known on Wednesday that he would retire on November 1, when India take on New Zealand at Delhi (hometown) in a T20 International.
Team India will play the opening game of the T20I series against the Kiwis at the Feroz Shah Kotla and Nehra chose that as the occasion to retire from international cricket. Against all odds, the injury-prone pacer earned a spot back in the Indian team owing to his successful IPL stint. Playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the 2014 and 2015 seasons he made the world aware of his abilities with the ball.
The Delhi pacer addressed a press conference in Hyderabad, ahead of the 3rd T20 International against Australia on Friday, where he revealed the reasons behind his retirement from all forms of cricket. “I have spoken to the team management as well as the chairman of the selection committee,” Nehra told the media.
Ashish Nehra to bid adieu to International Cricket on November 1 in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/Cl9AfOapHK
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 12, 2017
“The team was easing him into top-flight cricket. He has not played any cricket after getting injured in the last IPL. He said he would have retired after the third match against Australia in Hyderabad. Since India play their next T20 in Delhi, Nehra prefers to play that match,” the official further added.
What About IPL?
“I was always mentally strong and whenever I used to train, I always used to play for India,” Nehra said about his retirement from the Indian Premier League as well.
“A lot of people are asking me why I was retiring from the IPL, that I could easily play IPL. But when I train day in and day out, I train to play for India. I realize that when I retire on November 1, there are five months before the next IPL and I could easily play. I could even play another year of international cricket,” he added.
Its my own decision and once I retire from International Cricket, I will not play in the IPL as well – Ashish Nehra pic.twitter.com/TLCKp28cNc
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 12, 2017
“But that’s my decision. Once I will leave, I will leave. I won’t even play IPL. It is always good to retire when people say ‘why’, not ‘why not’. I always wanted to retire on a high,” Nehra stressed.
“I feel this is the way forward. As I have said, there are no big (T20) tournaments coming. Also, the way Bhuvneshwar (Kumar) has been bowling, there have been times when I and Jaspreet Bumrah have played while Bhuvi and (Mohd) Shami have sat out. So I think it is the right time and my decision has been welcomed by all concerned,” Nehra signed off.
Watch The Video Here:
It’s always good to retire when people are asking Why rather than Why Not? – Ashish Nehra on his retirement pic.twitter.com/Uacvs17Z8S
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 12, 2017
While his international career spans 18 years he was forced to retire from Tests a decade ago and his last ODI was the World Cup 2011 semi-final against Pakistan where he injured his finger and was ruled out of the final.
So, let us wish Ashish Nehra will spark one last time at his home ground playing for team India. All The Best Nehra Ji.
Also Read: Why India Lost The 2nd T20I To Australia? Bhuvaneshwar Kumar Reveals Virat Kohli…