Break from cricket has taught me a lot: Nehra

14 May 2008, 0028 hrs IST,Vinay Nayudu,TNN

MUMBAI: From being lost in oblivion to being the toast of the Mumbai Indians' outfit, Ashish Nehra is a new-found man. One who walks with a renewed spring in his step. He also smiles a lot more.

Thanks to the Indian Premier League, the man from Delhi is also pretty optimistic of wearing the India colours sooner rather than later.

Forced out of international cricket for almost two and half years due to a troublesome ankle, the left-arm seamer has displayed an iron will to claw his way back and see the sunny side of life.

"I was a forgotten man. Nobody knew where Ashish Nehra was; whether he can still play or whether he has called it quits? When you are down and out, you realise how quickly the media dumps you, how the world around you changes overnight. But I can't even blame anyone for that because there's so much cricket going around that, if you are out for 5-6 months people tend to forget you," Nehra told ToI in a freewheeling chat on Tuesday afternoon.

Presently, the leading wicket-taker for Mumbai Indians, Nehra has not only displayed great self-belief and mental toughness to overcome the worst phase of his career but has also underlined what he's capable of doing on the big stage of IPL.

"IPL is as good as international cricket. It's a fast-paced, action-packed game and a bowler gets just four overs to make an impression. But I'm happy to be back and to have proved myself once again. I have reminded everyone that I have started playing once again," says the 29-year-old player whose confidence never seemed to have deserted him even when he was injured.

"I was always confident that I will be back. In my case it was not about my performance. If you look at my record, it has been my fitness, and not my form, that has forced me to take a break. Injuries are part and parcel of the game. Show me a pace bowler who hasn't broken down from time to time in his career? It's just that both L Balaji and me were unlucky to have been struck down with major injuries."

The tough times, however, has made him learn a lot. "I have lost two crucial years of my career at a time when I was bowling really well and was at a stage of my career when an international bowler is at the peak. However, at 29, I still have some distance to go. The time I spent away from cricket has taught me a lot. I'm a changed person now.

"I have realised who my true friends are. I have also learnt a lot about my body. Earlier, I have played through the pain, but now I would advise any young bowler not to play when carrying an injury."

Though Nehra had never played Twenty20 before IPL happened, he is fast proving to be a dangerous customer. "I have set my standards a bit higher and I am keen to measure up to it.

"I never played Twenty20 before IPL but I am enjoying the challenge. It's quick and makes you think a lot about the match situation. How to mix the balls up, read the batsmen.

Mind games are important and it is crucial to out-think the batsmen." The new version of cricket has also made Nehra a handy fielder. "To be honest, fielding was a weak area of my game, but of late I am making a sincere effort to be a good fielder. In T20 even five or six runs can make the big difference between winning and losing."

Does he foresee a return to the national team? "I may have to wait for there is no domestic cricket after IPL for a few months. But yes, I can say that I will be back because I am fit."