It feels great to retire when you are on top of the game says Nehra

Ashish Nehra ()

New Delhi, Nov 2 - Very few cricketers bid adieu to international cricket with both the bowling ends named after them and that too in their home ground but veteran pacer Ashish Nehra called himself "fortunate" to have all these during his farewell game -- the first T20 International against New Zealand at the Ferozshah Kotla here.

Nehra could not have asked for a better send-off as the men-in-blue also won the contest by 53 runs on Wednesday to register their first victory against the Kiwis in the shortest format.

Recalling his debut Ranji match against Haryana in 1997 from the same end where he was asked to bowl the final over on Wednesday, the 38-year-old said he was satisfied and happy to end on a high.

"I still remember my first match in 1997 when I bowled my very first over in professional cricket against Haryana from the same end. There is no doubt that it's emotional but I am happy and satisfied to end his career on a high," Nehra told reporters in the post-match press conference.

"I am very lucky to play my final game in front of my home crowd. This is where I have played my 20 years of cricket. It feels great to retire when you are on top of the game.

"When I informed captain Virat (Kohli) and head coach Ravi Shastri of my decision during the first T20I against Australia at Ranchi, Virat asked me 'Are you sure'"

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