\"Feels great, you know, every player needs the confidence when they\u2019re coming from injury, and to be fair, the first game was not that great for me and in the second game I\u2019m feeling much more happy enough because any player would be needing this confidence and I hope I continue this confidence forward,\" Nitish said in a BCCI video on Wednesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Nitish was named Player of the Match after returning figures of 3\/24, playing a key role as India restricted Afghanistan to 159\/8 before chasing down the target with seven wickets in hand. The performance came after the 22-year-old had spoken about the work done at the BCCI Centre of Excellence to get his body back to full fitness.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The all-rounder also highlighted the confidence he has received from the Indian team management since breaking into the side, saying the backing has allowed him to focus on his game without worrying about his place.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always been a privilege to be a part of the Indian team and the management, obviously, they have given me enough opportunities and they have shown a lot of trust. I think that is what a player would actually need and that I\u2019m getting from the management. I\u2019m pretty happy with that,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, the road back from injury has also brought a mental challenge. Nitish revealed that the long periods at the COE can be mentally taxing despite the available facilities and training, with conversations with close friends and family helping him cope with the fatigue.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI have a couple of best friends, I talk to them every day. It\u2019s just mentally very fatigued in COE. Obviously, it feels great to be, you know, getting those many facilities over there to train, to perform, to increase whatever ability you have. But I would say, I talk to my friends, I talk to my family and here and there I go to my home and come back for 1-2 days. That is kind of relief, but yeah, that mentally is one thing which we need to take care of,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For Nitish, managing his body is particularly important given the workload of being an all-rounder. While injuries can be difficult to accept, he believes the response to setbacks ultimately comes down to maintaining the right mindset.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI have a couple of best friends, I talk to them every day. It\u2019s just mentally very fatigued in COE. Obviously, it feels great to be, you know, getting those many facilities over there to train, to perform, to increase whatever ability you have. But I would say, I talk to my friends, I talk to my family and here and there I go to my home and come back for 1-2 days. That is kind of relief, but yeah, that mentally is one thing which we need to take care of,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cYou have to be really strong at those points. You don\u2019t have to let any negative talk or any negative people coming at that time and poking at you. You just have to be mentally positive and do the good things and God will give you at the right time,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\r\n\r\n