Ashish Nehra to retire from all forms of cricket after India’s first T20I against New Zealand

The lanky left-arm pace bowler had created headlines when he was selected in India’s T20I squad against Australia. However, the 38-year-old had revealed that his body was not happy with his decision to play on and hence, decided to retire from all forms of cricket. India are scheduled to play their first T20I against New Zealand on November 1st at the Feroz Shah Kotla, which is Nehra’s home ground and the Delhi bowler aims to bow out from the international scene from there.

“I have spoken to the team management as well as the chairman of the selection committee. It can't get bigger than getting to retire in front of your home crowd," Nehra said while speaking to journalists in Hyderabad ahead of the third and final T20I against Australia.

Since making his international Test debut in 1999, Nehra’s career has been a roller coaster ride. After becoming a household name following his 2003 World Cup heroics, where his spell of 6 for 23 against England still remains the best-ever by an Indian bowler in a World Cup game, knee and back injuries kept him of the international circuit for close to four years.

Despite him returning to the international side in clusters and even getting selected in the 2011 World Cup squad, Nehra could never make any huge impact for the country. But he kept performing effectively in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for various franchises.

After two good early seasons with Chennai Super Kings, he was called in for the T20Is against Australia in January 2016. He was a part of the squad in the shortest format of the game and led India’s bowling attack in the 2016 edition of the T20 World Cup at home. His last appearance in Indian colours came earlier this year during the home T20I series against England.

He was left out from the West Indies and Sri Lanka series thereafter but got a recall for the ongoing Australia series. However, though he was spotted bowling in the side nets before the Guwahati T20I, he didn’t make it to the playing eleven even once in the series.

Nehra has played over 160 games for the country taking 235 wickets across all formats. He also played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last IPL season, taking six wickets in eight games before injury ruled him out. Nehra will also not take part in the IPL hereafter.

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