Ashish Nehra says its challenging for Virat Kohli to lead Test team-IndiaTV News

New Delhi: Ashish Nehra, former pace spearhead who along with Zaheer Khan formed a deadly combination of left arm swing bowling has performed exceptionally well in the recently held eighth edition of IPL. The pacer grabbed the eyeballs of both cricket fans and experts as the left arm bowled with the old zing that he is known for while playing for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise.In an exclusive interview to India TV he spoke on various issues including his present form, his chances of playing for Team India and what, according to him, is the way ahead for the new crop of pacers of Team India.Here are the excerpts of this interview: Q: What is the secret behind your success in IPL?Nehra: There is no secret as I have not made any significant changes in my bowling action. The only defence this time was that I took more wickets as a result of which I got noticed. In India, people focus on age rather than performance. I believe a player who is performing well must be appreciated.Q: How Do you motivate yourself even after being kept out of Team India for so long?Nehra: It is difficult to keep motivating oneself at this stage and the most important thing is to enjoy the game. It hurts in spite of performing well if you are not a part of Team India. I have not been playing international cricket for the last 5-6 years and that is the reason I am planning to play more and more cricketQ: CSK skipper MS Dhoni always looked up to you in the death overs?Nehra: It feels good if the skipper of Team India has trust that I can bowl well in death overs. I have done it before also in 2009, 2010, 2011. I have bowled both in powerplay as well as in the death overs which has helped me a lot in my cricketing career.Q: Do you think “Dhoni as skipper” has helped you?Nehra: Dhoni has this ability to bring out the best from his players. He knows how and when to utilise them. He always injects confidence into the player.Q: You were injured in 2003, but still you played and took those memorable six wickets against England?Nehra: At that time my age was 22-23 years and I was pretty much excited to play in spite of my injuries and I was bowling pretty well thenQ: It seems, after 15-16 years also there is no bowler like Nehra in Team India?Nehra: I used to get injured and as a fast bowler and it is bound to happen. Cricket is now being played all round the year. Bhuveneshwar Kumar got injured during Tour to Australia. But the other side of the story is that I am bowling at 138-142kmph at the age of 36-37 which many people would not have believed that. It is all due to my consistent hard work and efforts which i have done during the last 4-5 years.Q: Do you think yourself as a better bowler now than before?Nehra: It is two different things. When I was 24 I used to bowl with my heart and passion. But now I have become more mature as a bowler and now I know how to bowl on a particular wicket, try to read the mind of the batsman which one can learn only with experience.Q: Nowadays bowlers visit gym more frequently?Nehra: Gymmming has become an important part of any player along with strength training. But the most important part for any player is still the ground training and as young cricketer it is utmost necessary to spend at least 4-5 hours daily in the ground.Q: This coming year is important since T20 championship is also going to take place?Nehra: Every year is important for a player. The important thing for a cricketer is to perform well consistently and rest is in the hands of the selectors. Every player hopes that he will play for his team. I also have the same dream to play for Team India once again.Q: What do you think about Team India's chances in Bangladesh?Nehra: Bangladesh has played World Cup quarterfinal and is a team known to come up with upsets in cricketing arena. New players can make impact in this series and it is an important series for Mohit and Bhuveneshwar.Q: Does Team India face a big challenge in Test cricket?Nehra: Team India plays well under home conditions but the team faces problems when it goes to Australia, South Africa and England. It is not easy to perform in Test Cricket and it is required that our young cricketers are being groomed properly and in the coming one Year India will play mostly at home and I don't think there will be much problem for the Indian cricketers.Q: Is Bangladesh preparing a spin wicket?Nehra: Bangladesh has got 2-3 left arm spinners and is a team which relies heavily on their spinners. I don't think it is going to pose any major problem for team India.Q: What is the difference between a foreign and a local coach?Nehra: I have never played under any Indian coach. I have played under John Wright who changed the cricketing culture of Team India along with Sourav Ganguly. Gary Kirstein also proved fruitful for Team India. But saying all this I think Indian coaches can also do well. As a player we can just give our 100% and play wellQ: What is your opinion on Indo-Pak Cricket Series?Nehra: I have played many series against Pakistan. My opinion is not that important and everything rests on PCB and BCCI along with the government of both the countries. I can only hope that the situation improves in Pakistan so that everyone can go there and play cricketQ; How big is the challenge for Virat Kohli, now that he has become the test captain?Nehra: It is a big challenge for Virat Kohli as now he has to mentally prepare himself to lead Team India in test. The good thing for Virat is that Team India will be playing Test in Home conditions for the next one Year and by the time the team prepares to go abroad, Virat will become mature enough to lead the team in difficult tours.

Big challenge for Virat Kohli to lead Team India in Test matches, says Ashish Nehra

New Delhi: Ashish Nehra, former pace spearhead who along with Zaheer Khan formed a deadly combination of left arm swing bowling has performed exceptionally well in the recently held eighth edition of IPL. The pacer

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