- Ashish Nehra:
2016 was a phenomenal year for India’s T20I outfit, as the Men in Blue won trophies one after the other. A key member of those successful outings was none other than the veteran Ashish Nehra, who at an age of 36, made a remarkable comeback to international cricket after a span of five years. Nehra was recalled for the T20I leg of the Australia tour, as the Indians struggled with wicket-taking pace options. The Delhi pacer provided that answer, as he struck frequently at the top for the Indians and made it a knack of picking early wickets with the new ball.
Nehra’s contribution to team India was so imperative that out of the 15 games he featured in, India won 12. In these 15 games, Nehra took 18 wickets, at a superb economy rate of 7.01. With Nehra leading India’s pace attack, they whitewashed Australia in the three-match T20I series, defeated Sri Lanka at home, lifted the Asia Cup in some style, and were the semi-finalists in the World T20.
Nehraji, as his mates call him with affection, might have played his last game for India, but his contribution definitely won’t go unnoticed.