Hoping next 20 years of my life are as eventful: Ashish Nehra

NEW DELHI: "If you can, then sprint. If not, then run. Can't run? Then jog. Won't jog? Then at least walk! Can't walk? Then crawl but just keep on moving," says Ashish Nehra as he gets in a position to bid adieu to the game that has given him the entirety in these types of years.

A complete of 163 global matches across 3 formats in 20 years isn't the best piece of statistic however the straight-talking Nehra will remain an enigma for what he will have completed had he no longer long past underneath knife 12 occasions.

"Trust me, I have had an eventful 20 years. I am not a very emotional person. The next 20 years is what I am looking forward to. Hopefully, it will be as eventful as it has been since I started playing for Delhi in 1997," Nehra stated right through a free-wheeling chat at his academy in Noida, ahead of his final competitive match against New Zealand on November 1.

"It's been a great journey. May be one regret. If I could change anything in these 20 years, that afternoon in Johannesburg during the 2003 World Cup final. But nothing else as it's all about destiny," he stated with his customary nonchalance.

Talk about the adventure that started at Delhi's well-known Sonnet Club in early '90s, he is thoroughly oldschool with lots of anecdotes.

"During my first Ranji Trophy game at Kotla, Delhi team had late Raman Lamba, Ajay Sharma, Atul Wassan and Robin Singh junior. Raman bhaiya and Ajay bhaiya, I have grown up bowling to them at Sonnet nets. Difficult to forget Raman Lamba. Dada player thaa (cricketing lingo for dominating batsman)," he reminisces.

"And Ajay Sharma, well I can tell you about his cricket. With no disrespect to all the current top spinners in our country -- Ajay bhaiya would have murdered them even on rank turners. He was that good at the domestic level," he recollected in an authoritative tone.

"I bear in mind bowling one-change in my debut Ranji recreation as Robin Junior and Wassan (his ultimate first-class match) were bowling with new ball. I got Ajay Jadeja for a duck in each innings. I've huge respect for his cricketing acumen.

"For me, Ajay Jadeja and Mahendra Singh Dhoni are the two shrewdest cricketing brains I've ever interacted with," he shall we one know his favourites and tells that it's purely his choice.

He has observed the quiet resurgence underneath John Wright, been during the tumultuous phase underneath Greg Chappell, had a 2d coming underneath Gary Kirsten and the general flourish underneath Ravi Shastri.

"I did not play a lot underneath Greg Chappell save two collection in 2005 (in Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe). Mujhe pahle collection se hello maloom thaa yeh biryani, khichdi bannewali hain Greg ke underneath (I knew biryani would become Khichdi underneath Greg).

"That's where Gary (Kirsten) was such a superb coach. He discussed strategies with MS (Dhoni) but on field, he never interfered with MS' style of functioning. But I still believe Chappell could have been a terrific coach for juniors," Nehra seen.

Talk about Virat Kohli and Nehra would say that Ravi Shastri is the best foil for Kohli.

"Look Virat's career and captaincy are on auto-pilot mode right now. He knows what he is doing and leads by example. He doesn't need gyaan (sermons) but support which Ravi gives him in abundance," he stated.

"You know the best part about Ravi. If a player is going through a rough patch, he is the man. Even if the player is not able to middle a single ball in the nets, Ravi would make him believe that he is as good as Brain Lara! Now that might sound ludicrous to an outsider but those who understand cricket know that this is man-management," he stated.

He did not speak a phrase about Anil Kumble but had a delicate take on what is an ideal coach-captain dating.

"If a coach, suppose is 50 years old and the captain is 28, it is the duty of the coach to understand the psyche of a 28-year-old and not the other way round. It doesn't work the other way. Not in cricket at least."

Will he develop into the bowling trainer of the Indian crew if introduced the function?

"No such plans as of now. Yes, I will do a bit of coaching and commentary but if you talking about Indian team, no such thoughts till 2019 World Cup. After that, let's see what happens."

People bear in mind him for his 6/23 against England in Durban the place he rarely put a foot unsuitable. But can just one night time's efficiency describe him?

"Sports is nothing but moments. People remember that night. I would like them to remember me as an honest trier. Ek aisa shaqs jisne seekh ke khela nahin par khelke ke seekha (a person, who didn't learn and play but played and learnt)," he replied.