IPL Hero Ashish Nehra Knows India Recall a Distant Dream

Mumbai Indians might have won the 2015 Indian Premier League but the story of the tournament belonged to the 36-year-old left-armer ex-India pacer Ashish Nehra. With 22 wicket at an average of 20.40, the Delhi pacer turned back the clock to remind the Indian fans of his prowess in the limited overs format. (IPL 2015: What the Statistics Reveal)

The Indian team for Bangladesh was chosen right after the IPL. Harbhajan Singh made a comeback but Nehra's name did not feature in the final squad.

"I have always felt that I am good enough to play for India," Nehra said in an interview to ESPNCricinfo, "Not because Harbhajan is back that I should be picked. I believe that whoever performs should be picked. It is not about the age." (Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman Agree to be Team India's Advisors)

Nehra delivered a sterling performance for Chennai Super Kings this season. He won three man-of-the-match awards and picked more wickets than any Indian fast bowler in the tournament.

Nehra featured in 17 games and bowled 62 overs out of the possible 64. He made regular breakthroughs with the new ball and in the death overs stifled the oppositions with his accuracy and variety.

"It is not like I am bowling the easier overs in the middle," Nehra reminded, "I am still doing the toughest job and I get the satisfaction of bowling the tough overs under the Indian captain." (India Cricket Team Full of Superstars)

The Delhi pace-man, who flourished under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly, lamented that he missed playing for the Indian team. "I still miss the India cap when I go to sleep," he says. Nehra was severely dejected when he failed for make the cut for the 2015 ICC World Cup after a successful Champions League T20.

Nehra's career has been marred with injuries, hence limiting his Test career to just 17 matches and the tall left-arm quick regrets not representing India more wearing the white flannels.

"I do miss playing Test cricket," he said, "I could have played a lot more. A bowler like me shouldn't have ended his test career at the age of 25. In 2008-09, Dhoni and (Gary) Kirsten (then India coach) wanted me to play Test cricket. When I look back, I regret not saying yes. I should have worked harder because I was only 30 then."

From ripping apart opponents to becoming a popular internet meme, Nehra has been an enigma in Indian cricket. His story has been the one of unfulfilled potential. In him and Zaheer Khan, India could have had their most lethal bowling attack but injuries and dip in form left Nehra in the cold, way too often.

His time is gone and even though he misses playing for India, Nehra knows, at 36, a fairy tale comeback isn't on the cards.

   

"Even after the IPL, in ten days people will forget me", signed off a dejected Nehra.