Outgoing Indian premium fast bowler Ashish Nehra has lauded the efforts of former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and batsman Ajay Jadeja while referring both as shrewd thinkers of the gentleman’s game during his tenure which is spread around 18 years.
“For me, Ajay Jadeja and Mahendra Singh Dhoni are the two shrewdest cricketing brains I have ever interacted with,” Nehra told PTI ahead of the T20I.
Being eloquent in response Nehra termed it solely his selection about the sharpest brains cricket has to witness mainly from India.
The injury-marred left-arm bowler Nehra is retiring from international cricket with the first Twenty20 International fixture of the three-match series is slated for November 1st at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium here in New Delhi.
(Read Also: Ashish Nehra to Call it Quits after Opening T20I Against New Zealand on November 1)
The 38-year-old bowler Nehra remarked he had not set any horizon, as the bowling coach for India until the culmination of 2019- 50-over World Cup which is scheduled in England and Wales.
Moreover, he pointed out that he could enjoy the coaching stint or his fans could subsequently witness him in the commentary box before taking a call regarding his future as a professional.
“No such plans as of now. Yes, I will do a bit of coaching and commentary but if you talking about Indian team, no such thoughts till 2019 World Cup. After that, let’s see what happens,” Nehra added.
The old-horse in the form of Nehra, who cherished every bit of the game, as his international stint subsequently witnessed around 12-odd surgeries which kept him out of the game owing to the long lay-offs from time-to-time.
While giving his verdict on Virat Kohli, Nehra believes the Indian batting mainstay is on the song — to achieve the numbers, but equally went on to suggest that he requires a lot of backing from head coach Ravi Shastri which according to him has had been already there.
“Look Virat’s career and captaincy are on auto-pilot mode right now. He knows what he is doing and leads by example. He doesn’t need gyaan (sermons) but support which Ravi [Shastri] gives him in abundance,” Nehra asserted.
Nehra has been the part of Team India when the formidable side was coached by Greg Chappell which further saw the team struggled with form, as John Wright led to the recovery before Gary Kirsten saw him delivering goods for India.
“I didn’t play much under Greg Chappell save two series in 2005 (in Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe). I knew Biryani would turn into Khichdi under Greg,” Nehra further added.
As Ravi Shastri has been nursing his wards, Nehra is expected to march off the ground for the final time at his home ground with a lot on his back.
Somewhat, Nehra revealed former South African batsman Gary Kirsten was brilliant at gelling the Team India as the head coach which further saw him allowing what Dhoni have had wished for: to yield the desired results for the national side.
“That’s where Gary (Kirsten) was such a superb coach. He discussed strategies with MS (Dhoni) but on the field, he never interfered with MS’ style of functioning,” Nehra maintained.
However, the wily customer Nehra opined Greg Chappell could have had left a significant impact on the youngsters when he was coaching India.
“But I still believe Chappell could have been a terrific coach for juniors,” Nehra concluded.
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Nehra featured in 120 ODIs, 26 T20Is and 17 Tests for India since he made an international appearance in 1999 against Sri Lanka.