Years away from Indian team were most painful, says emotional Ashish Nehra

The left-arm speedster, Nehra, last played for India in the 2011 World Cup’s semifinal against Pakistan.

New Delhi: Making a comeback in the national team after a gap of almost four years, that too at the age of 36 is certainly not an easy thing to do. But Delhi speedster Ashish Nehra made it possible as national selectors picked the pacer in the T20 squad for the tour of Australia.

After being picked in national team after such a long time, emotional Nehra stated that years away from Indian team were most painful.

“I’ve never thought of quitting. Never! Those years away from the Indian team were the most difficult and painful. I had lost my place due to injury and not form. It looks a very happy world now,” Nehra was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

The left-arm speedster, last played for India in the 2011 World Cup’s semifinal against Pakistan.

“I kept backing myself. My wife and parents stood like pillars behind me. My coach (Tarak Sinha) was a big strength, and I had cricketeres Zak (Zaheer Khan) and Jad (Ajay Jadeja) constantly encouraging me,” Nehra added.