shot-button
Olympic 2024 Olympic 2024
Home > Sports News > Cricket News > Article > Fit Ashish Nehra wants to be a hit

Fit Ashish Nehra wants to be a hit

Updated on: 28 October,2009 07:39 AM IST  | 
Anand I Naik |

Nehra, the perennial Mr Unfit, looks forward to cement his place in the team after a four-year exile from international cricket

Fit Ashish Nehra wants to be a hit

Nehra, the perennial Mr Unfit, looks forward to cement his place in the team after a four-year exile from international cricket


For a sportsman, Ashish Nehra has a unique problem. "With me it was never about whether I was good enough. It was always about whether I was fit enough," he says. After a gap of almost four years he last played a series in Zimbabwe in September 2005 and two ankle surgeries later Nehra made a comeback in June this year in the West Indies and hasn't looked back.


What was the feeling like after playing your first comeback match?
It was a relief to get back. I never thought I couldn't bowl 10 overs. I had played Indian Premier League earlier and bowled for more than two hours in the nets. Only after that did I tell everyone that I was fit to play one-dayers. So, there was never any doubt about my fitness.

How tough was it for you when you were recovering from injuries?
It took me some time to get back to a fitness schedule. It was very tough as I did not bowl for a year and a half. I travelled to Germany, England, South Africa and Australia for treatment. I did whatever was possible to be fit again. In India, if you don't play international cricket for six-seven months, people forget you and I was out of the game for four years. I did not even watch cricket for almost two years. Being out of the team was very frustrating at times.

How helpful was the Indian Premier League?
I grew in confidence since it is as good as international cricket. Sure, IPL is T20 cricket but you can always judge talent. I played 14-15 matches in a row and performed quite well. After the IPL (Season II), I was high on confidence and that spilled over to the series in West Indies. I played three ODIs there and was very satisfied with my performance.

Did it feel odd to enter the Indian dressing room again?
It did feel a bit odd in the beginning. There were quite a few new faces, so the feeling was a bit different. But with every passing day, as I started performing better, my confidence grew. And luckily, the injuries stayed away.

Was there a time when you felt there was no chance of a comeback?
I always believed in myself. I was only concerned about my body. But even when I started bowling after a long gap, it did not feel odd. I never felt I would not be able to complete a spell. A lot of people wrote me off but that motivated me in a way. I wanted to prove them wrong. Today, the same people congratulate me for making a comeback. I have proved a lot of people wrong and I am very happy about it.

Which was the most frustrating phase of your injury?
When I had my ankle surgery in 2005 I had to give up cricket. I was among the top wicket-takers then, but my injury got so bad that I couldn't carry on. I started playing again, had minor injuries and thought they would not be a big problem. But even those needed surgery. Then, I got injured again while playing domestic cricket. I was pushing myself. I had to undergo another surgery in 2-3 months.

Now that you have done well in ODIs, are you confident of being fit to play Test cricket again?
I am playing seven ODIs in a short time and they are against a team like Australia. So I want to see how it goes. I am trying to reach a stage where I can play Test cricket. But I don't want to get too excited and play a Test too soon, bowl 30 overs and get injured again so that I cannot even play ODIs and T20. I am just 30 so I have time on my side. I can afford to be patient.
u00a0
In Zaheer Khan's absence, you are now the spearhead. Does such responsibility help when you are making a comeback?
When you are bowling well, you start enjoying the responsibility. For example, bowling during the batting powerplay is very tough.

Especially when the batsmen are set. But I am always bowling two-three overs in powerplays. I am happy that the team is giving me responsibility and I think I am good enough to do well in such a situation.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK