Ashish Nehra’s top 3 performances in ODI Cricket

The veteran India cricketer, Ashish Nehra had a notable career in One Day International (ODI) cricket. Known for his left-arm fast bowling, Nehra was a key figure in the Indian bowling attack during his time. Nehra had the ability to swing the ball both ways and was often effective in providing early breakthroughs with the new ball.

The legendary India bowler’s ODI career was characterized by his resilience and occasional match-winning performances. Despite battling injuries throughout his career, he managed to make significant contributions to the Indian team. Nehra’s best performances often came in high-pressure situations, where his experience and skill came to the fore. Overall, Nehra’s presence in ODIs added depth to the Indian bowling lineup and he played a crucial role in shaping the team’s fortunes in the limited-overs format. Let us look at the top three performances of the left-hand bowler in ODIs;

1. 3/24 vs New Zealand, 2009

In the second match of the Compaq Cup in 2009, the star India pacer showed how lethal he can be with the new ball in hand. After New Zealand were put into bat first, they faced the wrath of Nehra as he helped India get off to a perfect start with the ball as he dismissed the Kiwi openers inside the first three overs. In his very first over, he dismissed Jesse Ryder (0) and then came back in the very next over to pick up the wicket of Brendon McCullum (3). He later finished with a bowling figure of 3/24 which helped him win the Player of the Match Award.

2. 6/59 vs Sri Lanka, 2005

In the final of the Indian Oil Cup, India faced a crushing defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka by 18 runs but the shining star for the visitors was Ashish Nehra with his brilliant bowling effort in a big final. After Sri Lanka opted to bat first, Nehra completely wreaked havoc on the Sri Lankan batting lineup. Out of the first seven wickets to fall, the left-hand bowler accounted for five of those wickets. Eventually, he ended the game with a bowling figure of 6/59 which still remains the best bowling figure for any left-hand Indian pacer on the Sri Lankan soil.

3. 6/23 vs England, 2003

Ashish Nehra’s remarkable bowling performance of 6/23 against England in the ICC World Cup final stands as one of the highlights of his career. Nehra’s exceptional spell played a crucial role in India’s victory in the high-stakes match. Throughout the match, Nehra displayed exceptional control and skill, troubling the English batters with his pace and movement. His ability to consistently hit the right areas and generate movement off the pitch made him a constant threat.

Nehra’s 6/23 was instrumental in restricting the English batting lineup to a modest total, giving India a realistic chance of clinching the World Cup title. For his brilliant performance, he was even awarded as the player of the match. 

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