Nehra was recalled at 38

Days after boldly saying that he can still play at the top level for a couple of years, India’s veteran pacer Ashish Nehra shockingly announced that he would bow out of all forms of cricket after the T20 International against New Zealand on November 1 in his home town, New Delhi. As expected, there were speculations that the World Cup-winner took the decision after being left out of the first two games of the ongoing three-match series against Australia.

However, speaking ahead of the third and final game, the left-arm pacer said the decision is solely his before he revealed that he told the captain and the coach of his plans after getting selected in the squad. Nehra said that he took the decision after being convinced of India’s current pace department.

“It’s my own decision. Match on Nov 1 is in Delhi. There’s no bigger thing than to retire in your home town,” he said.

“When I was selected for this series, I informed Virat (Kohli) and coach (Ravi) Shastri that I think Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) and (Jasprit) Bumrah are doing really well. And that this is the right time for me to go,” added the 38-year old.

Nehra went on to say that he would not ply his trade in the IPL either.

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“If I have decided something, there is no going back. If I retire, I won’t even play the IPL,” he said.

Meanwhile, before the start of the had said that he can play for another couple of years.

“The only one thing that I’m not happy is my body,” Nehra had told ESPNcricinfo. “I can play for another couple of years but it isn’t easy for a fast bowler at 38-39, especially considering the state of my body. But I am just trying my level best.”

“At times when I wake up, especially in the winter in Delhi, my knees are so sore, it is half an hour before I can even leave my bed and am able to walk,” he had added.

The oldest player in the team at the moment, the Delhi star made his international debut in 1999 under Mohammed Azharuddin and has represented the team in 17 Tests, 120 ODIs and 26 T20 Internationals so far. He has picked 44 Test wickets, besides 157 ODI and 34 T20 scalps.

 

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