Ashish Nehra

When the team was in a difficult situation or needed wickets, Ashish Nehra used to be the favorite bowler of the captains. He was really good at bowling during the toughest times in a cricket game. Nehra was known for taking wickets early in the game and bowling well in the last overs (or death overs). During his active years, he was regarded as one of India's premier fast bowlers.

Nehra was so good at making the ball move or swing in tricky ways that it gave even the best players a hard time. However, he often faced health issues that made him miss many important matches.

Nehra got noticed for his amazing performance in a World Cup game in 2003 against England, where he took six wickets, his best in one-day matches. He played a significant role in the team's victory during the 2011 World Cup as well; however, he didn't play in the final.

Early Life

Ashish Nehra's birth took place on April 29, 1979, in Delhi to Pawan Singh Nehra and Sumitra Nehra. His younger brother, Bhanu, runs a food franchise.

When Nehra was young, he and Virender Sehwag would often ride a scooter together to play cricket at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium. Nehra did really well in local cricket, especially playing for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy. This helped him move up the ranks in cricket.

Marriage

Ashish Nehra is married to Gujarati artist Rushma Nehra. Their love story began when Nehra first saw Rushma in 2002 during the England tour. He fell for her instantly.

Rushma was at the famous Oval Stadium watching the game when they first met. They started talking, got to know each other, and soon began meeting every day. That's how their amazing love story began. Shortly after, on April 2, 2009, Ashish Nehra and Rushma tied the knot and got married.

Ashish Nehra's Cricket Journey

Starting from local games in Delhi, Nehra made his way up the cricket ladder, playing for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy and then India. He trained at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, with stories often emerging of him and Virender Sehwag traveling together for practice.

Debut Days

His first international match was a Test match against Sri Lanka on February 24, 1999. Despite rain affecting most of the game, he took 1 wicket, dismissing Marvan Atapattu. In his first ODI against Zimbabwe in 2001, he grabbed 2 wickets, helping India win easily.

Rising Star

Nehra became a star after his amazing performance in the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup. He bowled incredibly well, especially against England, taking 6 wickets for just 23 runs. What made it more remarkable was his recent recovery from an ankle injury. That game became the highlight of his career, showcasing his skills as one of India's best fast bowlers known for his exceptional swing and seam bowling.

Challenges Faced

Nehra's career faced setbacks due to recurring health issues rather than poor performance. After the 2003 World Cup, he struggled with injuries, limiting his appearances for the team to just 164 games in nearly 18 years. His standout performance in the 2003 World Cup against England, where he took 6 wickets for 23 runs, remains a notable record for an Indian bowler in Cricket World Cup history.

Despite these challenges, Nehra was recognized by the ICC and included in the "Team of the Tournament" for the 2016 T20 World Cup. He showcased his talent in the Ranji Trophy, too, notably taking 6 wickets for 16 runs against Vidarbha.

Overcoming Obstacles

Nehra overcame his ankle injury and joined the Indian Premier League (IPL), playing for different franchises. After missing out on the Delhi Ranji Team in the 2007-08 season due to his ailment, he joined the Mumbai Indians later. His standout performances for the Chennai Super Kings in 2014 and 2015 earned him a place in the CLT20 XI.

Nehra and IPL

From 1997 to 2017, Ashish Nehra generally played cricket in various leagues, tournaments, and international matches and IPL was one of them. In 2008, he joined the Mumbai Indians team for the IPL. Then, from 2009 to 2010, he played for Delhi Daredevils. After that, he stayed with Pune Warriors India from 2011 to 2012, then with Delhi Daredevils in 2013, and then with Chennai Super Kings from 2014 to 2015. Finally, in 2016 and 2017, he played for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Ashish Nehra's Cricket Stats

• Test Debut: February 24, 1999, against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
• ODI Debut: June 24, 2001, against Zimbabwe in Harare.
• T20 International Debut: December 9, 2009, against Sri Lanka in Nagpur.

Ashish Nehra's Accomplishments

• Nehra has kept the record for the best performance by an Indian in a World Cup match till 2023, claiming 6 wickets for 23 runs against England during the 2003 World Cup. At the 2023 World Cup, Nehra's record was surpassed by Mohammed Shami, who took 7 for 57 in the semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai.
• He stands as the sole Indian cricketer to secure 6 wickets in a match twice in ODIs, achieving this feat against England in the 2003 World Cup and once more against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
• He boasted the fourth-longest career among Indian cricketers, dedicating 18 years and 250 days to the sport.
• He played a pivotal role in Team India's triumphant campaign in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, contributing significantly to their victory. However, he was not part of the playing eleven in the final game.
• He also won the 2016 Indian Premier League title with Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Nehra's Coaching Journey

• In January 2018, Royal Challengers Bangalore chose Nehra as their bowling coach for the IPL. He remained with the team for the 2019 season as well.
• Recently, in January 2022, he became the head coach of the new IPL team, the Gujarat Titans.
• In the 2022 IPL season, the Gujarat Titans emerged as table-toppers and clinched the championship by defeating the Rajasthan Royals in the final. Nehra made history as the first Indian head coach to win the IPL.

Net Worth

Ashish Nehra has accumulated an estimated net worth of around $5 million, which translates to about 40 crore rupees in Indian rupees. This wealth mainly comes from his earnings as a player for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), his contracts in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and his involvement in personal business ventures.

Throughout his cricketing career, Nehra earned substantial income from playing for the national team under the BCCI. Additionally, his participation in the IPL, where players receive significant compensation, further contributed to his earnings. Nehra's involvement in various IPL teams helped generate considerable income through contracts and endorsements.

Additionally, Nehra has also ventured into personal business endeavors, which may have also added to his overall net worth. These include investments, endorsements, or entrepreneurial ventures outside of cricket. Collectively, these sources of income have contributed to his estimated net worth.

Social Media Presence

Ashish Nehra has accounts on various social media platforms like Twitter (@TheAshishNehra) and Instagram (@ashish.nehra64). However, he has always discussed in interviews that he is not a tech-savvy person and does not use social media accounts. This can be gauged from his Instagram account, where he has not made a single public post till now, even though he has more than 50 thousand followers there. Simply put, he doesn't post or engage with followers. Although he has set up profiles, he rarely uses them to interact or share updates.

Nehra's Retirement

Ashish Nehra made the decision to retire from international cricket on November 1, 2017. Following his retirement, he transitioned into a commentary role, becoming a part of the Star Sports commentary crew. He was often seen in the commentary section during the recently held World Cup 2023.

Additionally, Nehra has also ventured into coaching for the IPL, initially with Royal Challengers Bangalore and currently (as of 2023) with Gujarat Titans as their bowling coach. This shift from playing cricket to coaching and commentary marked a new phase in his career after bidding farewell to active cricket.