Ashish Nehra Feels Comebacks Are More Difficult Than Debuts
Ashish Nehra, who recently returned to Team India after a gap of five years, feels it is difficult for pacers to keep performing day in and day out, especially at the age of 36
Ashish Nehra, back in the national cricket team after being ignored for almost five years, on Sunday said it is tougher to make a comeback than making a debut. (Ashish Nehra Says He Loves To Bowl In Death Overs, Praises Jasprit Bumrah's Skills)
The 37-year-old pacer last played for India in the semifinal of the victorious 2011 World Cup campaign against Pakistan. After missing the final due to a finger injury, he was overlooked for nearly five years before being recalled for the three-match Twenty20 series against Australia last month. (Ashish Nehra Selected for Asia Cup, World Twenty20)
"It's very difficult to make a comeback. Comebacks are much more difficult than debuts. I've made a comeback after 36," said Nehra at the open media session before the Indian team's departure to Bangladesh for the Asia Cup.
He said it was tough for the pacers to keep performing. "It's not easy for pacers to keep performing day in and day out. There will be pressure. You have to keep working hard. I train to play international cricket, not aim to play only domestic cricket," said Nehra.
Since his return to the Twenty20 side, Nehra has picked seven wickets in six matches against Australia and Sri Lanka.
"You don't play many Twenty20Is. IPL is a great help for us when it comes to T20 cricket. You get used to it as a bowler. You just practice according. It's not a big deal for me. I'm somebody bowling up front or one or two overs in the death. The more you play, the better you become," he said.
On his chemistry with young pacer Jasprit Bumrah, Nehra said, "It's a good experience. It is not that I always tell him the things. We are two completely different kind of bowlers...different actions. We're having a good partnership. Hopefully, we can do well in next couple of months.
Nehra feels that everyone has to contribute on the field whether he is a junior or a senior. "I don't believe in that but everybody has to contribute. On the field, I always try to talk to Hardik (Pandya) and I'm happy to do that job. Everybody has seen what Bumrah and Pandya have done recently.