Calcutta: Ashish Nehra, who retired after Wednesday’s T20I against New Zealand, spoke to The Telegraph from Mumbai on Saturday afternoon. He was, in fact, then en route to the airport for a flight back to New Delhi.
Excerpts...
Q So, how is life as a former India cricketer?
A (Laughs) God has been kind, so life has always been good, be it when I was playing or now that I have retired from the game completely. You know my nature, I look at the positives.
Q Did you feel much different waking up on Thursday and did you sleep well after your final match in the India colours?
A Actually, I went to sleep only around 7.00 am... Most of the boys were with me till late, then (captain) Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan stayed on in my hotel room till 4.30 am or so... After that it was the turn of Ajay Jadeja, Ajit Agarkar and Zaheer Khan to keep me company... They left after 6.00 am. So, by the time I could hit the bed it was around 7.00 am... See, I’d prepared myself to one day wake up as a former India cricketer. And, so, it wasn’t a case of what now? I’d been mulling over my decision for a month before making it public... And, before doing so, I spoke to my wife Rushma and, then, informed Virat as soon as I reached Ranchi ahead of the first T20I against Australia... I said it would only be fair for Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) to be the second specialist new-ball bowler after Jasprit Bumrah. I added I was in the squad and, if needed, would play... I just had to be honest with what had been going on within me.
Q How do you intend keeping yourself busy in the near future?
A I’ll be busy with my children (Aarush, Aariana)... For a month or six weeks I don’t really wish to do much... For years, I’d train, travel, play. Now, it’s time to give priority to my family. Later in the month, I’ll be back in Mumbai for Zaheer’s wedding... Coaching is an option, commentary is also a possibility... Some believe that mentoring fast bowlers should be the way forward for me... Let’s see. Time will tell.
Q Mentoring seems a logical career option...
A I’d certainly like to share my experiences. I had so many injuries, had 12 surgeries... If a 21 or 22-year-old gets injured, he could end up feeling very lonely... Isolated... After all, when the going is good, everybody is there around you. When it’s not so, then you may not find anybody. It’s in that phase of your career that you need somebody to help out, even if it’s nothing more than sharing one’s experience. The game has given me so much that I do need to give something back.
Q Am curious... Is there a fast bowler of any nationality that you admire at this point in time?
A To talk of Indians first... Bhuvi and Bumrah’s progress in ODIs and T20Is has been outstanding. Bumrah’s action is hard to pick and he has such a good yorker and the slower one. In fact, today, I’m more than convinced that Bumrah should play Test cricket. Even if Bumrah is not going to be considered for the XI, he should still be in the squad which goes to South Africa... Outside India... There are quite a few very good bowlers... Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Aamir... Others as well.
Q From 1999, your debut year, till now... What would you say has been the biggest change cricket has seen?
A Look, something or the other changes in five-six years... This 18-year period has seen the birth and phenomenal growth of the T20 game... To talk specifically, Virat’s team has a ruthless mindset. Even if a 2-0 lead has been taken, this team would like to make it 3-0. Virat, in particular, wants his players to be world beaters and instils that confidence in them.
Q What did you learn the most as an India cricketer?
A To say never say never. Also learnt that hard work never goes unrewarded. I remember having pushed myself to the limit 2008 onwards after two very frustrating years. I’d realised that I needed to put in much more and the birth of the IPL that year gave me the platform I’d been looking for. If you look at the bottom line, I’ve retired on my terms and in coloured clothes. How many fast bowlers leave the international stage at the age of 38 plus?
Q The last one... One compliment or send-off message you won’t forget...
A I won’t forget what Virat said after my last appearance... That I deserved the farewell I got... To have signed off in front of my home crowd, at the very ground where I made my first-class debut... It couldn’t have got bigger or better than what unfolded at the Kotla. I’m thankful to God... Had no T20I been scheduled there, I would have retired after the last T20I against Australia, in Hyderabad (on October 13).
