The Indian selectors surprised everyone when they included veteran fast bowler Ashish Nehra in the 15-member India squad for the three-match T20I series against Australia, starting from October 7 in Ranchi. It is yet another international comeback for Nehra, who has been a tireless servant of Indian cricket from the past 18 years since he made his debut under Mohammed Azharuddin in 1999.
Over the years, despite his injury-prone body, the 38-year old pacer has enjoyed dismissing all the doubts about his future and has ably answered all his doubters and cynics with his performances on the field.
However, there is one man who was not at all surprised by Nehra's inclusion in India squad and was sure that the Delhi-born pacer still has it in him to represent the Men in Blue at the highest level.
During India TV's "Cricket Ki Baat" chat show, former India opener Virender Sehwag said: "I was not at all surprised with Nehra's selection in the T20I team against Australia. I am very happy that he is a part of the team and I want him to play more matches in future."
Both Sehwag and Nehra have played for Delhi in domestic cricket and are old-time buddies. The duo also shares a great off-field repertoire and is very close to each other. Viru also spoke about Nehra's fitness regime and his routine which has kept him going at this age as well.
Sehwag also revealed the secret behind Nehra's fitness and said that his Delhi mate has scored almost at par with captain Virat Kohli in the "yo-yo" endurance test. The Indian team regularly undergoes a series of fitness tests with 'Yo-Yo' endurance test being the most important of them. It is an advanced version of the 'beep' test that was used by teams of earlier generations. The current Indian team is considered to be the fittest by a fair distance.
"The secret behind Nehra's fitness is when is not playing international cricket, he spends almost 8 hours in the gym (two sessions of 4 hours each). And if today he is a part of the T20 team, it is because he has passed the 'yo-yo' test. He scored almost 17-18 in the yo-yo test, touching Virat Kohli's score."
"Nehra is a fast bowler and never faces any issues while running. So, he doesn't endure much problems in clearing the "yo-yo" test. Nehra likes to stay fit and spend time in the gym. It is not that he is doing it forcefully. He likes to run, swim and I think he would have easily covered the distance of 20 meters in the yo-yo test. He has also an advantage of his height... he is over 6 feet and has a long stride."
On being quizzed about Nehra's chances to represent India at the next T20 world cup in 2020, Sehwag said: "I don't think age should be the criteria to play in the world cup. If Nehra is fit, picking up wickets and giving away less runs, then why not? Sanath Jayasuriya played till 42, Sachin Tendulkar played till the age of 40 then why not Ashish Nehra?"
Speaking about his own fitness levels, the Nawab of Najafgarh said he would have also prolonged his cricket career if he would have got proper guidance and training equipment at an early age. "When I started playing cricket, I was not so fitness conscious. But with time, I became very conscious about it and improved on my fitness. I think if I had all the training equipment at an early age, I would be playing now just like Ashish Nehra."
Speaking on the prolonged ouster of Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina from the team, Sehwag said both the limited-overs stalwarts should focus on clearing the "yo-yo" test.
Earlier, reports suggested that both Yuvraj and Raina scored well below the permissible level in the "yo-yo" test leading to their ouster from the Indian team.
"We have seen in reports that many players, including Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina, have not cleared the yo-yo test. And probably this is the reason why they are not part of the team. I think Yuvraj and Raina should focus on clearing the yo-yo test because if they pass the test, they will be a part of the team," Sehwag said.
Sehwag concluded the conversation by saying, "Fitness is the mantra for every cricketer. If you remain fit, you will be a hit. I don't think there's any unfit player in the current Indian team."
Nehra last donned the India coulours in a T20I series earlier this year against England, before missing the one-off T20Is on the tours of West Indies and Sri Lanka, respectively.
