04 March,2011 07:51 AM IST | | Debasish Datta
Ashish Nehra yesterday more or less ruled himself out for Sunday's group match against Ireland, saying he was hoping to be fit for the tie against South Africa on March 12.
Nehra, who missed India's both the matches against Bangladesh and England with a back strain, sought to down play the concerns over his fitness and said that he is being careful not to rush his comeback.
"I am recovering very fast, but I am really cautious about when I should play. I am improving everyday, so I should be playing any of the next three matches," Nehra told MiD DAY.
India are set to play their next three Group B matches in seven days as they take on giant-slayers Ireland on Sunday, Holland on March 9 (Delhi) and South Africa on March 12 (Nagpur).
Their final group engagement is against the West Indies on March 20 (Chennai). "I am regularly going to gym and have started bowling at the nets. I am getting my rhythm. I am not in a hurry because one thing I have decided is that whenever I start playing, I will play till the end of the World Cup," Nehra said.
"For me, the World Cup starts actually from March 12 against South Africa. That's the key match and I am hoping I will definitely play. It's a 45-day tournament and there's a long way to go."
The cricketing world might have rejoiced at the thrilling run chase by both England and Ireland, the 31-year-old from Delhi rued the flat wickets of the subcontinent.
"The bowlers are being hit because the wicket is rock solid and the ball is not moving much. It's an absolute batting paradise," Nehra said.
"We all know that the wickets are flat in Mirpur and Bangalore, as also in Nagpur. So one cannot blame only the bowlers."
