Ashish Nehra not guaranteed starting spot in farewell match

Veteran Indian pacer Ashish Nehra, who has already announced his retirement from international cricket and the first T20 game against New Zealand at Feroze Shah Kotla would be his last for the Men in Blue. But MSK Prasad’s ‘bouncer’ is sure to leave the pacer stunned.

New Delhi: Veteran Indian pacer Ashish Nehra, who has already announced his retirement from international cricket and the first T20 game against New Zealand at Feroze Shah Kotla would be his last for the Men in Blue. But MSK Prasad’s ‘bouncer’ is sure to leave the pacer stunned.

The 38-year-old was selected in the 16-memeber squad to face Kiwis in T20 series but the dream of pulling curtains down on his 18-year career on his home ground might just not materialize.

“Whether he is going to play or not, it is clearly the team management and the selector on call, whoever it is. The think tank involved will be taking a call. There is no assurance from our side that he’s going to play or not. It will be decided on that particular day,” Prasad said at press conference in Mumbai.

“We have clearly communicated to the player  and to the team management that we are only looking at him till the New Zealand series. If you have seen the pattern with which we have selected the India A players, the same bowlers we have been continuing with for the last one and a half years on all A trips, that means they are very much in line. They have really done well in South Africa, also at home against New Zealand. This message has been clearly communicated and we are very happy that the player also needs to take it in the right spirit that the new generation is coming up,” he added.

The left-arm bowler has represented India in 17 Tests, 120 ODI’s and 26 T20 internationals, clinching a combined 235 wickets.