IPL aided my return to the national squad: Nehra

INDIA PACEMAN Ashish Nehra acknowledged the emergence of Indian Premier League (IPL) and credited the cash-rich tournament for helping him regain his confidence. The veteran seamer believes the league has helped many international cricketers find their footing back.

As reported by cricbuzz, Nehra credited the IPL for helping him make a comeback into the international fray. 

“When you do well on a platform as big as the IPL, you are bound to get noticed and that's what happened with me as well. There are so many international players who may lack confidence but when they play well in IPL.  They revel in it. IPL brought my confidence back. Take the case of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He wasn't bowling at his peak last year but this season for Sunrisers Hyderabad, he bowled well consistently and that helped him regain his confidence.”

The Delhi-born pacer after missing international action for a couple of years, made a commendable comeback to the T20 squad, to feature in the 2016 Asia Cup and the WT20. Nehra, who donned the Sunrisers Hyderabad jersey in the ninth edition of IPL, picked nine wickets in eight games before sustaining a hamstring injury. Nehra divulged that he is currently undergoing the rehabilitation at the NCA camp in Bengaluru. 

When asked about his advice to the young Indian bowlers, the 37-year-old added,

“Firstly, I don't give anybody advice. I only offer suggestions. Twenty20 is a fast format and as a bowler you are always under pressure. One has to be smart enough as these leagues provide a great opportunity to showcase your skills. These days I see many coaches telling their wards to learn and then play. I believe it should be the other way round, whether you are 20 or 30, the learning process should never stop.The more you play, the more you learn.”