India is fortunate to have Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, says Ashish Nehra

Nehra had announced his decision to retire from all forms of cricket, during the Australia series, after the first T20I against New Zealand which is scheduled to be played at his home ground in Delhi on November 1. Nehra, who made his debut for the Indian team in 1999, represented the country in 17 Tests, 120 ODIs, and 26 Twenty20 matches. Nehra believed that India has the upper hand in most matches as they are getting the services of both Kohli and former skipper MS Dhoni.

“Indian cricket is very fortunate to have a guy like Virat Kohli and right now with Mahendra Singh Dhoni. It is a good combination,” Nehra told News18 in an interview.

He also praised Kohli’s attitude towards game stating that the Indian skipper always appears to be focused and hungry to perform in every game. 

“Virat Kohli what you see it has not happened overnight. Look at Virat Kohli in 2011, 10 or 12, it took two-three years to change himself as a person. Look at his body. He is so fit. And the main thing which stands out with Virat he is very focus and hungry to perform. His intensity is always there,” Nehra opined.

Nehra made his debut under Mohammad Azharuddin’s captaincy and along with Dhoni and Kohli, he played under Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, and Anil Kumble as well. When asked about the comparison between Ganguly and Dhoni’s captaincy, he said that you couldn't pick one on the basis of their records.

“You can’t judge a player just on the stats. It is not a right way to judge a player,” he replied.

Critics raised questions about his inclusion in the side for just the one T20I and had stated that Nehra has selected himself in the starting XI for his farewell match. The Delhi-born pacer answered this question in his own style.

"Big' people were saying Ashish Nehra has selected himself in the starting XI of the Delhi T20I. It's the media's job to sensationalize stuff and pick up controversial things.

"Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I had clarified with the team management that Delhi has been allotted the match, so I'd like to bow out there. Then people were like he was not in the XI against Australia, why would he make the team against NZ. To them, I say that I don't care whether I'm a part of the XI or not, the team management and the selectors know that.

"Whenever India are playing an international match, they'll definitely go in with their best eleven players," the 38-year-old explained.