In what has arguably been a tireless cricketing journey, Ashish Nehra made his debut in whites and then, after 18 years, the crafty left-arm seamer bowed out of the game in a blue outfit, competing in a format that wasn't even in existence at the time he played his first match for India back in 1999.
Twelve surgeries, a series of comebacks and a never-say-die attitude; Nehra resolutely challenged fate in doing what he loves the most - run in and bowl quick. For this old warhorse, age has never been a factor. And, his farewell game - at the age of 38 - was surely a testimony to that.
After setting an imposing target of 203, the Indian team and their fans were anxiously waiting for Nehra to put the icing on the cake. But, there was nothing extraordinary about the Indian seamer, except the fact that the home crowd didn't get tired shouting his name or the cameramen couldn't help but follow him on the field.
Farewell to the man of the moment - Ashish Nehra #ThankYouAshishNehra pic.twitter.com/onuPCxU4r6
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 1, 2017In his quota of four overs, Nehra went wicket-less while conceding 29 runs. He was smoked for three fours and ended up bowling three wides and a no-ball. However, last night wasn't about Nehra's performance, of course a few wickets wouldn't have caused any harm, but this Indian cricketer is beyond all that. He has taken wickets, terrorised opposition batsmen and impressed everyone during his Team India stint. Thus, the game at Feroz Shah Kotla, was all about the perfect send-off.
One of the most endearing memories of Nehraji's glorious career was when MS Dhoni and Rahul Dravid - future captain and current skipper at that time - failed to go for a catch produced after an edge off Shahid Afridi's bat in 2005. With neither Dravid, nor Dhoni reacting to it; Nehra let rip fiery expletives as he cursed both the cricketers and their sisters before telling them they couldn't hold onto easy catches.
While Nehra will always find himself associated with that old incident, his farewell match also had moments of its own that, in turn, made it furthermore memorable.
Nehra The Footballer© Twitter/BCCI
While the Delhi cricketer failed to take any wickets in his farewell match, he adequately made up for it with his on-field exploits. With the camera consistently following Nehra on the field, a sheer moment of genius came to fore when the 38-year-old playing a cricket match - enthralled everyone with his football skills.
How's that for footy skills from our very own Nehraji? What do you make of that @YUVSTRONG12 ;) #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/YaTeJk5d0t
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 1, 2017The incident occurred in the 16th over when Tim Southee's attempt to flick off Yuzvendra Chahal went towards the fine leg area. There was nothing special about it till the time the ball came close to Nehraji who casually jogged across and planted his boot to lob the ball in the air, caught it and immediately hurled it back to the wicket-keeper.
His football skills didn't just get the Kotla crowd on their feet, but had captain Kohli - a self-proclaimed football buff - and his teammates sporting big smiles before applauding Nehra's trickery with the feet. Though it's unclear what Nehra would do after retirement, last night's episode will surely have football scouts on their toes.
Hardik Pandya's Stunner© Twitter/BCCI
Although all eyes were on Nehraji last night, his teammates also had their own moments of brilliance on the field. And, Hardik Pandya's absolute screamer of a catch was arguably amongst the top three of the match.
The Indian fans were elated to see Pandya walk out to the crease at No. 3, with some slam-bang batting on the cards, however, to everyone's disappointment, the Baroda boy was sent back to the hut on a golden duck. But, when Pandya plays a match, it is almost impossible to keep him away from the spotlight.
Incredible #Hardikpandya future #Mohammadkaif pic.twitter.com/KFrWmbTuRx
— Saleem Khan (@SaleemK90) November 1, 2017A similar case emerged in the second over of the match when Chahal forced Martin Guptill to mistime a hook at long-off. With the ball high up in the air, Pandya moved across to his right, putting in a full-length dive and snaffling it with both hands outstretched. The stunning catch cheered the fans on and even had MS Dhoni in awe.
Virat's Walkie-talkie Episode© Twitter/BCCI
While we've seen a lot of things on the field and even in the dressing room, last night's game had another unique element to it. Team India skipper Virat Kohli was seen using a walkie-talkie in the dug-out area during India's innings.
The incident came to light when openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan were going hammer and tongs against the Kiwis, with India cruising at 139/0 in the 15th over. Kohli was seen communicating on the walkie-talkie which later sparked questions over a possible violation of ICC rules that clearly prohibits the use of any digital device by a player during a match.
However, it was later revealed that Kohli had, in fact, taken permission from ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) who eventually allowed him to use the walkie-talkie.
Signing Off With A Win© Twitter/BCCI
Ahead of his farewell match, cricket pundits and fans probably anticipated an impressive spell filled with wickets for Nehra. However, the left-arm seamer went wicket-less in his quota of four overs. Though it would have surely played on his mind, Nehra still managed to sign off with a win - even if his contribution wasn't as expected.
thank you #AshishNehra https://t.co/LQXVYYIDaa
— âµ (@hinakshibhatia) November 2, 2017Defending 202 runs, the Indian team ran through New Zealand's batting order to eke out an emphatic 53-run victory. Following the win, Delhi cricketers Kohli and Dhawan also picked Nehra up on their shoulders before embarking on an emotional victory lap around the ground.
Playing in his home city, with fans carrying his posters and chanting his name throughout; it was only befitting for Nehra to bow out of the game with a victory to cherish and a send-off to remember.
Parting Shot© Twitter/BCCI
Not many cricketers in the history of the game have been as blunt or straight-forward as Nehra. The Indian speedster has never believed in sugar-coating things or mincing words while putting his point across. The post-match press conference after his farewell match turned out to be no different.
India's chief selector MSK Prasad had recently said that Nehra will not be considered for selection beyond the three-match T20I series against New Zealand. Last night, when asked about those comments, Nehra revealed that he started playing without the selectors' permission and is now leaving without it.
"When I started playing cricket, I didn't take any selector's permission. When I am leaving, I am not leaving with their permission," Nehra said after the match.
Like it or not, that's witty, straight-forward Nehra for you. A cricketer who will be happy to have called it quits after bowling his final four overs at a venue where he began his journey, in front of people who mattered the most and on the back of a Team India win.
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