Nehra's ironic snub
Aakash Chopra, writing in the Hindustan Times , says it's ironic that the bowler who claimed match-winning figures in the World Cup semi-final hasn’t played a single international match since.
Nikita Bastian
25-Feb-2013
Aakash Chopra, writing in the Hindustan Times, says it's ironic that the bowler who claimed match-winning figures in the World Cup semi-final hasn’t played a single international match since.
After dropping off the radar for four years, Nehra returned in 2009, took 65 wickets in 48 games at an impressive strike rate of 33. Believe it or not, he’s been India’s fittest fast bowler in this period, and most effective too. He was an integral part of India’s road to the World Cup victory. As baffling as it is, he has not been considered, even after recovering from an injury. It wasn’t he who declared himself fit, but the physiotherapist at the NCA who issued the certificate. Perhaps, after the English fiasco the selectors aren’t willing to take a chance with any player without testing his match fitness. But then why isn’t he given a chance to prove his fitness? He isn’t picked even for the Challenger Trophy. Is there more to it than meets the eye?
Nikita Bastian is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo