I didn’t need selectors’ permission to leave, says Ashish Nehra

Ashish Nehra was the man of the occasion at thr Feroz Shah Kotla on Wednesday as he ended his 18-year-long cricketing career in front of his home crowd with a brilliant display. Answering numerous queries post-game about his injury-prone career and retirement plans, the 38-year-old made a startling revelation stating that he had no discussions with the chairman of selectors MSK Prasad or the board.

This comes as a contrary to what Prasad had said while announcing India’s T20I series squad a week back. He had informed that Nehra was clearly explained that he was only being considered until the end of the New Zealand series, indicating that his retirement decision hinged upon it.

However, Nehra clarified the air saying, “I heard this [about Prasad's quotes on the discussion]. I don't know. The chairman of selection committee has not spoken to me about this. Luckily this game happened to be in Delhi. I have not asked for a farewell game or anything. This is perhaps one way that god has rewarded me for all the hard work I have put in over the last 10 years.”

“When I reached Ranchi, I told Virat about my plan. I have not spoken to any selector over this issue. If they told this, you can ask them. When I started playing cricket, I didn't take any selector's permission. When I am leaving, I am not leaving with their permission," added Nehra cheekily.

Prasad had said earlier, “We have clearly communicated to the player, i.e Ashish Nehra and to the team management that we are only looking at him till the New Zealand series. We can't say that [if he will surely play in the Delhi T20I].”

Nehra was selected in the T20I series against Australia but couldn’t make to the starting eleven. However, Nehra stated that he didn’t play with his own volition as he didn’t force his place in position of an in-form Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

He said, “My thought was that when I went there, I went with my retirement plan. I felt that Bhuvneshwar Kumar was ready. If you had seen earlier, I and Bumrah have been playing. Two spinners play, and the third fast bowler is Hardik Pandya. So Bhuvi misses out.”

“He, too, had been a little up and down until this year's IPL. After the IPL, I personally felt that this is the way forward, that as a bowler I will not like to keep playing at the expense of Bhuvi. If somebody plays better than me, he can take it. It is not as if I was getting any favours by being selected.”

Nehra ended his career with a thumping win over New Zealand that also broke India’s hoodoo against the Kiwis in the T20I format. Nehra gave away only 29 runs in four overs and could have had wickets to his name had Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli not dropped catches.