All good things come to an end, says Nehra

Many believe that Ashish Nehra, with the talent he had, could have played a lot more for India than the 17 Tests, 120 ODIs and 28 T20Is that his CV says. Blame the injuries.  

Nehra too knows that he should have played more. But on Wednesday, moments after he bid adieu to the game, Nehra was in no mood to discuss about what he did not get in his career. His motto is simple: “It is not about how you start, it is about how you finish,” he said.

Nehra made it clear that he did not call it a day on the advice of selectors. “I never had any talk with the national selectors about my retirement. If they have said so, you should go and talk to them about why they said so.

“I could have played for a few more months or for a year, but I thought it was time to hang up my boots. I revealed my retirement plan to Virat (Kohli) in Ranchi. Other players in the team also came to know about it. They all said I could have played little more… At least in the IPL… But I thought enough was enough.

“I know I could have played as a coach-cum-player in one of those IPL teams. Some players even advised me to think about it. But I am not a kind of person who would wake up in the morning to train only for playing IPL. That was not possible for me,” said Nehra.

Nehra admitted that it was indeed an emotional day for him to play his last match . “It is the same ground where I started playing and bowled my first over in Ranji Trophy, against Haryana. I still remember those days… In fact, today I started my spell from the end from where it all began,” he said.

“All good things come to an end one day. My theory is simple – why not leave when you are at the top? At least people will say you would have played some more time. I knew leaving the game would not be easy when you have played it for 20 years. But I have no regrets. Who knows there could be better days ahead…” he said.

“There is no end to aspirations. I would have liked to have more wickets in my kitty. Even Sachin Tendulkar could have asked for 5000 more runs… Human nature is like that. But I have gone through so many injuries… Had so many ups and downs in my career. I have seen so much… So I stay happy,” he said.

Asked why he did not play a Test match after 2004, Nehra said it has always been the selectors’ call. “I could have only performed well and waited to get a chance.

“But I know my teammates wanted me there. Even in 2009 and 2010, the players in the team and coach Gary Kirsten wanted me to play. That’s the biggest satisfaction for me. It is a huge thing when you know your teammates want you there,” Nehra said.

About his captains in his long career, Nehra said: “I played under so many good captains.. Dada (Sourav Ganguly) was there… Later there was MS (Dhoni) and now Virat Kohli, who will definitely go a long way.

“Dada was very good in motivating the youngsters in the team. MS knew how to get the best out of the boys. I was happy to play under all of them. I feel very happy when I am fit,” Nehra said.

Kohli, while speaking about Nehra, said: “To have played 19 years is very hard task for a fast bowler. I know how professional he’s been and how hard he’s worked. He deserved this kind of a farewell, with the crowd cheering him. He can now spend time with his family. We’ll stay in touch, but we’ll miss him and I wish him all the best.”