Nehra to get Kotla farewell, but will he?
Ashish Nehra, who had announced that he would retire after the first T20 International against New Zealand on November 1 in Delhi, has been picked in the T20I squad only for the Delhi game. The decision by the selection panel seems to be influenced by emotions, as it tries to ensure a fitting farewell to the left-arm pacer at his home ground.
While there is no debating the quality of
Nehra, Sunil Gavaskar has pointed out the dangers of selecting a team based on emotions.
The former
India captain says selection should entirely be based on merit. MSK Prasad, the chairman of selectors, was at pains to defend the selection of Nehra in the Twenty20 squad for just one game. “There are a lot of apprehensions going on about Ashish Nehra. I will make it very clear. We have clearly communicated to Nehra and the team management that we are only looking at him till the New Zealand series. So this message has been clearly communicated and we are happy that the player also took it in the right spirit that the new generation is coming up and instead of waiting till the end of New Zealand series, he felt that he will quit after the Delhi game itself so that others can (get a chance),” explained Prasad. Asked specifically if he will play the Delhi game, he said, “We can’t say that. Whether he is going to play or not, is clearly (the decision of the) team management and selectors. There is no assurance from our side.”
Nehra last played for India on February 1, the last T20 against England. He failed to pick a wicket in that game although he shone in the second T20 International of that series, picking three wickets to script India’s victory.
Prasad denied that a call had been taken over resting skipper Virat Kohli. “With regard to Virat Kohli, there is some speculation that he is going to be rested for the whole of Sri Lanka series, it is not right. As far as the Test series is concerned he is going to play, and at some point of time, the rotation policy that we are following will apply to the captain. We are also monitoring his workload, he has been playing continuously right from IPL, we need to give him a break which w’ll consider after Tests.”
MUMBAI:
management and BCCI to let him play in the Delhi game and bid farewell on the pitch.
Sunil Gavaskar questioned giving any such allowance to a player, who himself admitted India’s pace bowling in the limited-overs – Nehra decided long back that his injury-prone body can’t stand the rigours of ODIs or Tests – was in safe hands of Bhuvneshwar and Jasprit Bumrah.
While Gavaskar has a valid point, letting Nehra run in to bowl in front of his family and friends one last time will allow the BCCI to send a message to fans that it is capable of appreciating tradition.
What will this graceful act for Nehra help the BCCI make amends for? A bunch of India cricketing greats – Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan in particular –