Ashish Nehra's lasts and Indian team's firsts

Ashish Nehra bid adieu to his career after a T20I at his home venue Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi where he began his professional career. Team India registered a huge 53-run win against the visiting New Zealand side to give Nehra a great farewell. He might not have picked up a wicket but produced three chances in his first three overs, and all of them were spiled by the fielders. He bowled the final over of the game defending 61 runs, a chance of defending an impossible total, which he never got in his career before.

Last T20I vs New Zealand, 2017 in Delhi:

Nehra’s last matches in all the three formats resulted in India’s win and in fact in some special and significant wins. The current win against New Zealand was the team’s first ever in the T20I format bringing an end to their 10-year wait after losing on all the five previous meetings against the Kiwis.

Last ODI vs Pakistan, 2011 in Mohali:

His last ODI was in the 2011 cricket World Cup semi-final against Pakistan in which he ended up injuring his finger and never played the format again. Coming to the game, India defeated Pakistan in the semis to become the first team in 32 years to play a home final of CWC after England in 1979. Nehra returned with figures of 2/33 in his 10 overs while defending 260.

It was also India’s first win in International cricket in Mohali as they lost the previous two ODIs at the venue and a Test match resulting in a draw due to rain and Pakistan’s fight in the 2nd innings. The win adds more significance as they have lost to only three teams till date at this venue across formats. India lost the only game they played against West Indies in 1994 and three International games against Australia but defeated the Aussies on five occasions as well.

Last Test vs Pakistan, 2004 in Rawalpindi:

Nehra’s last Test match came way back in 2004 in Pakistan where Team India entered the 3rd and final Test with the series squared at 1-1. They defeated the hosts by an innings and 131-run margin as they registered their maiden Test series victory on Pakistan soil.

The connection of Nehra’s last games with Pakistan was not only in ODIs and Tests as India’s win against New Zealand resulted in the Pakistani team rising to the No.1 spot in the T20I rankings.