Nehra has no plans to retire

Sunrisers spearhead opens up

He is all of 36 but raring to go at the batsmen with a spirit that befits a youngster just about hitting big-time. A five-year hiatus because of various reasons, including injuries and being sidelined, have not dampened the steel resolve in the new comeback man in Indian cricket, Ashish Nehra.

The ever-optimistic Nehra is not the brooding kind as he believes in moving on and enjoying the game as and how it comes. One of the few Indians to have tasted success in the recent World T20, Nehra was in the illustrious company of Virat Kohli as the only two from the country to figure in ICC World T20 squad.

“I am happy to be selected in the ICC XI. Honestly speaking, there are many other players like MS Dhoni and David Warner who have been consistent. I got the nod only because of my recent performances,” admits Nehra, rather modestly. Nehra is enjoying the game and ha sno intention to retire in the near future.

“I am enjoying my game and want to play for as long as my body can take the load. Although it is not easy for a pace bowler, I am, nonetheless, working hard on my fitness. I am taking things on a month-to-month basis,” he said.

“If a player is performing well, his age should never be the criteria. Just look at Brad Hogg, who is active at 45 and Michel Hussey, who continues to dominate in Big Bash,” points out the injury-prone speedster.

When Nehra is not playing cricket, he prefers to watch football. “If I had failed to become a cricketer I could have probably become a footballer. Argentina is my favourite team,” he said.

On IPL matches moving out of Maharashtra, Nehra wonders “if three grounds do not conduct matches will the problem be resolved?”
Even as he praises the transformation of Kohli, Nehra says Sourav Ganguly and Dhoni cannot be compared as they are ‘unique in their own way.’

Sunrisers Hyderabad management, meanwhile, is hoping that their bowling spearhead will be back in action, sooner than later and be among wickets.