Why Ashish Nehra deserves a spot in first T20I against New Zealand

Veteran pacer, Ashish Nehra has made headlines in recent times after being included in the Indian T20I squad for the series against New Zealand. While several critics have appeared apprehensive at the decision of his inclusion, his fans are overjoyed at the prospect of the lanky bowler being able to end his career on a high. The scepticism is partially justified if we take into account the fact that Nehra is 38 years old at present, a figure on the higher side for a T20 player. But the doubts are as quickly dispelled into oblivion as soon as the feats of his phenomenal bowling career are taken into consideration.

Nehra made his T20I debut back in 2009 and continued to remain a vital cog in the Indian squad ever since. Although his journey was halted at regular intervals by injuries of varying magnitudes, his ability to pick up wickets at will and restrict the run-flow at crucial junctures of a match earned him reverence from cricket lovers and experts alike. The pace spearhead was a part of the 2011 World Cup winning side and garnered fame for emerging as a dependable bowler in the limited formats for India. The fact that he’s been a part of 5 separate franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils, Chennai Super Kings, Pune Warriors and Sunrisers Hyderabad, bears testimony to his consistency as a bankable T20 fast bowler to this day.

It was on October 12, 2017 that the news of Nehra retiring from all formats of the game came to light. With his retirement match only a day away, there have been umpteen debates regarding whether or not Nehra should find a spot in the first T20 against New Zealand to be played on November 1. However, when his career records and achievements are stacked up against the lone thorn of his age, the decision seems to be as clear as the day.

Bowling figures

Nehra is no stranger to possessing remarkable bowling figures. Cricket enthusiasts would remember the stunning display of fine bowling that the wiry pacer put up in his last ODI appearance in 2011, where he picked up 2 wickets against Pakistan while conceding mere 33 runs in 10 overs. His prowess is especially pronounced in T20 cricket, where he has picked up 34 wickets in 26 matches for India, with best figures of 19/3.

His economy meanders around 7.76 in the shortest format of the game. Out of these, Nehra has featured in 18 matches and picked up 21 wickets in 2016 alone, along with having mastered the skill of providing essential scalps in the powerplay overs.

Coming to the overall picture of Twenty-20 cricket, Nehra has featured in 88 IPL matches till date, where he’s not only picked up 106 wickets but has also managed to do so at a healthy bowling average of 23.54 in a format as brutal as that of the IPL. Armed with such figures, Nehra is bound to be an asset for the team, come the T20 match against New Zealand to be played at New Delhi.

Zeal to perform and inspire

With the Yo-Yo Test having emerged as the new benchmark for being able to be a part of the national squad, several senior members of the team like Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina have found themselves stumbling at the hurdle. But not Ashish Nehra! The 38-year old surprised quite a few when he passed the rigorous fitness test with flying colours very recently.

In fact, his score in the endurance test was found to be very close to that of the Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, himself, thus making the former’s determination to play for his country very apparent. Nehra continues to be an inspiration for young players like Mohammad Siraj, who in an exclusive interview to NDTV revealed, “I have played with Nehra bhai at Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2017. He has given me a lot of tips during net sessions. The tips helped me improve my game a lot.”

Flamboyant India opener Virender Sehwag, while speaking on India TV‘s Cricket Ki Baat chat show, backed Nehra and said, “I was not at all surprised with Nehra’s selection in the T20I team against Australia.  I am very happy that he is a part of the team and I want him to play more matches in future. The secret behind Nehra’s fitness is when is not playing international cricket, he spends almost 8 hours in the gym (two sessions of 4 hours each). And if today he is a part of the T20 team, it is because he has passed the ‘yo-yo’ test. He scored almost 17-18 in the yo-yo test, touching Virat Kohli’s score.”

When asked about his relevance keeping in mind that the next World Cup is only two years away, Sehwag added, “I don’t think age should be the criteria to play in the world cup. If Nehra is fit, picking up wickets and giving away less runs, then why not? Sanath Jayasuriya played till 42, Sachin Tendulkar played till the age of 40 then why not Ashish Nehra?”

Receding from World Cricket on a high

There has been one too many cricketers who have not received a befitting farewell while retiring from world cricket. The likes of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman have bid adieu to the game in the quietest way possible, without playing the last game or getting a felicitation on the cricket field they toiled on for years. Giving Nehra a chance to play his last T20 on his home turf at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, Delhi would prevent such an unceremonious blunder from happening again.

As quoted by Cricbuzz, Nehra has characterised his decision to retire a well thought-out one and said, “Now, they say you can easily play for one more year. I’ve been a believer of the fact that it’s always good to retire when people ask why and not why not. And it can’t get bigger than the fact that I’m retiring at home. Last 2-3 years has been a great journey. I always feel it is not how you start, but how you finish.”

Having bounced back onto the stage of world cricket time and again after having undergone almost 12 surgeries is no mean feat and Nehra is truly deserving of being given the opportunity to draw the curtain on his glorious career in panache.