Ganguly was `rested` for RCB match: Nehra

Jaipur: Ashish Nehra on Sunday said the controversy surrounding Sourav Ganguly`s place in the Pune Warriors` team had no effect on the performance of the players and added that the skipper was "rested" in the team`s previous match against RCB.

"As far as I know, Ganguly took rest in the team`s previous match against RCB and later I came to know that he is playing today. I don`t know much about the so called controversy," said Nehra. "I don`t think that this episode had any bearing on the performance of the players. We are here to perform and no matter who the captain is we try to give our 100 per cent. I have no idea about the other matters but I know that he was rested in the previous match," he added. Rajasthan Royals crushed Pune Warriors by 45 runs in a lop-sided Indian Premier League match here today. Nehra was the most successful bowler with figures of three for 23. Nehra could not explain the reasons behind Pune not being able to click as a unit in the tournament so far. "I don`t know about the specific reasons but there have not been even two fifties and that has always failed us in our chase whether it is 120, 140 or 170. We have not been consistent. Not only batting but the bowling also needs certain improvement. "We did not miss too many catches but allowed 15-20 extra runs through poor fielding. But most importantly, we have not clicked as a batting unit. We have explosive batsmen like Robin Uthappa and Ryder but it is hard to understand the reason behind eight consecutive defeats," Nehra told reporters at the post-match press conference. Injuries have deprived Nehra from several important tours in his career but the 33-year-old cricketer said he is fully fit and in good rhythm. "I feel I am in good rhythm for quite some time. I do my job and rest depends upon selectors. I have been consistently bowling well these days." PTI