Ashish Nehra Spent More Time With Physio than Wife: Sourav Ganguly

Nov 4, 2017 at 12:23 PM

facebook iconlinkedin iconmail icontwitter iconWhatsApp iconTelegram icon
Ashish Nehra Spent More Time With Physio than Wife: Sourav Ganguly

Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly hailed Ashish Nehra’s never-give-up attitude which made it possible for the left-arm pacer to continue making comebacks in the national team despite undergoing 12 surgeries during his career. Nehra bid adieu to international cricket after playing his final game against the Kiwis at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi on Wednesday.

“I think his best friend was the physio. I think he probably spent more time with the physio than his wife,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by India Today.

“His [Nehra’s] body didn’t hold up for most part of his career. But he was extremely gifted that he continued even after all these injuries. He is very competitive, he never gave up. “He might have been fragile, he had injuries. Fielding was not a part of his repertoire. When it came to bowling, when he got the white ball, he looked a different cricketer. “It [the farewell] is fantastic. Not many have the luck to finish on their home ground. Sachin Tendulkar had it and now Ashish Nehra. Good to see selectors showing faith in him. Even in his last game he bowled well. It’s difficult to bowl in Kotla, but he did well.” Ganguly further added.

It was the injuries which didn’t allow Nehra to book a permanent spot during his heydays as he underwent so many surgeries during his career. He conceded the fact that he might not be remembered for his international record but for the numerous comebacks he made despite the injuries.

Ganguly also revealed that how Nehra fought an ankle injury and produced a magical spell at Durban during the 2003 World Cup which is still regarded as one of the best spells by an Indian pacer and one of the best in World Cup history.

“Nehra is someone who just remains happy whether he plays or not. That’s the best thing. He always is smiling. I dealt with him when he was young. Every time when I had to leave him out, every time I told Nehra ‘Ashu you’re not part of the game’, I knew the doorbell would ring after the game,” Ganguly said.

“He wouldn’t say anything before or during the game, but exactly at 11pm, when you reach the hotel, the doorbell would ring. And Ashish walks in, in his shorts and slippers, with his fragile legs and with hands inside his T-shirt, rubbing his belly he would ask ‘why did i not get picked’.

“I would tell him, ‘I wanted to give someone else the opportunity, someone else has performed better’. “It was then all the stats would come up.

He would say”

‘I can bowl at 149 for you. Do you think I am not fit? Give me the ball, I will show you’.

“He did exactly that in South Africa. He slipped in the game against Namibia, he had a hugely swollen ankle. We had the game against England in the next three or four days. I asked Ashish what to do with him.”

He said:

‘just put my name and I will run in for you’. He did just that. His best bowling figures came against England in that match. That’s the speciality of Nehra, he never gives up.”

Related Article
Maxwell got me at Lord’s, its good to get him back, says Jofra Archer
Maxwell got me at Lord’s, its good to get him back, says Jofra Archer

Jul 12, 2019, 12:00 PM


Waqar Younis takes a dig at India’s heartbreaking loss in the semi-finals
Waqar Younis takes a dig at India’s heartbreaking loss in the semi-finals

Jul 12, 2019, 11:22 AM


Michael Vaughan mocks Virat Kohli as India crashes out of the World Cup
Michael Vaughan mocks Virat Kohli as India crashes out of the World Cup

Jul 12, 2019, 10:48 AM


It will take Rohit Sharma some time to overcome the loss: Tendulkar
It will take Rohit Sharma some time to overcome the loss: Tendulkar

Jul 12, 2019, 10:47 AM


Alex Carey in blood after being hit by a lethal bouncer from Jofra Archer
Alex Carey in blood after being hit by a lethal bouncer from Jofra Archer

Jul 11, 2019, 5:22 PM


Virat Kohli reveals his animated discussion with Ravi Shastri
Virat Kohli reveals his animated discussion with Ravi Shastri

Jul 11, 2019, 10:58 AM


Desktop Banner
Mobile Banner