Veteran fast bowler Ashish Nehra needs no introduction in this cricket-crazy country. One of the most loved cricketers in the nation for his perseverance to play the game despite several setbacks, the left-arm pacer turned 38 on Saturday (April 29).
The enigmatic bowler from Delhi has lived most of his 17 years in international cricket in the company of injuries but it never deterred him from giving his best on the cricket field. After being surprisingly overlooked by the selectors for almost five years, Nehra returned to India’s T20 team during the three-match series in Australia last year.
Since then, he has been one of the most influential bowlers for the team in the shortest format of the game. He played a pivotal role in India’s successful campaign in Australia and Asia Cup.
He was also instrumental in helping India reach the semifinals of World T20 last year. Currently, playing his trade for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, Nehra is bowling with the same energy and enthusiasm that he displayed in Harare in 2001 on his debut.
Meanwhile, his fans and the cricketing fraternity made sure to wish him on his special day. Here are some of the best messages:
Happy Birthday, Nehraji.. 38 years old but still gets the best batsmen bowled. ? Have a good day my dear friend, #AshishNehra.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 29, 2017
Wow ! Nehra ji Birthday and #WorldDanceDay on same day.Happy April waala birthday Nehra Ji. Great memories with you #CricketKaBhishmapitamah pic.twitter.com/ZXtW3bTPJo
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 29, 2017
Happy Birthday Ashish Nehra the only Indian bowler to take six wickets haul twice in ODI history..
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) April 29, 2017
Happy Birthday Nehra Ji ?? https://t.co/qoFM56HO7v
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) April 29, 2017
Happy Birthday THE LEGEND "ASHISH NEHRA" pic.twitter.com/RvaYkHFsel
— Karthick Viru (@Vijay_Rules_Da) April 29, 2017
Here's wishing Ashish Nehra a very happy birthday #HappyBirthdayNehraJi pic.twitter.com/BQwcaxaANN
— BCCI (@BCCI) April 29, 2017
Happy birthday to my brother #ashishnehra Lots of love..God bless you.Zabardast bandha hai tu bhai.. jeo hazaro sal. love always ???? pic.twitter.com/jvqLURM5UK
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 29, 2017
Happy birthday #NehraJi …. have a great time !!May you keep inspiring the younger generation!!keep going brother man !!
— Mithun Manhas (@MithunManhas) April 29, 2017
Many happy returns of the day #AashishNehra ?the funniest and the most hard working guy I know. Have a good one ?
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) April 29, 2017
Many happy returns of the day to our one and only #nehraji ???? abey yeh gardan abey samjha kar?… https://t.co/yILiqr9K9S
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) April 29, 2017