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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Nehra has proved age is just a number: Gavaskar

Nehra has proved age is just a number: Gavaskar

February 25, 2016 15:56 IST
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Ashish Nehra

IMAGE: India pacer Ashish Nehra claimed three wickets for 23 runs in the Asia Cup 2016 match against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. Photograph: Solaris Images

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar heaped praise on veteran seamer Ashish Nehra, saying he’s a crafty bowler who has proved that "age is just a number".

Nehra, who was forced into international exile post the 2011 World Cup triumph, made a comeback after almost five years last month. He took three wickets on Wednesday night as India kicked off their Asia Cup campaign with a thumping 45-run victory over Bangladesh in Mirpur.

- Asia Cup PHOTOS: Rohit shines as India crush Bangladesh

"Ashish Nehra has proven age is just a number. He is mixing his deliveries well and bowling craftily. He has done really well for India so far," Gavaskar told NDTV.

He also applauded opener Rohit Sharma, who anchored India’s innings of 166 for 6 with a breezy 83 off 55 balls after they were tottering at 42 for 3 in 7.5 overs.

Rohit Sharma

IMAGE: Rohit Sharma did the star turn for India, scoring a breezy 83 off 55 balls after they were tottering at 42 for 3 in 7.5 overs, in the Asia Cup 2016 match against Bangladesh. Photograph: Solaris Images.

"Rohit has got the ability to time his innings well. His shot-selection has been terrific. He made batting look so easy when others were struggling," he said.

The opener was dropped early on by Shakib Al Hasan when he was batting on 21 and Gavaskar said that was the turning point of the match.

"The turning point of the match was when Shakib dropped Rohit. You just can't drop a player like Rohit and especially when he is in this sort of form. Bangladesh will need to go back and do a lot more fielding practice."

The Mumbai batsman shared two crucial partnership -- 55 runs with Yuvraj Singh (15) for the fourth wicket and 61 runs off 27 balls with Hardik Pandya (31) as India posted a fighting total in the end.

"Rohit Sharma-Hardik Pandya partnership did the trick for India. In T20 format chasing anything above 150 is difficult."

- Asia Cup 2016: Complete coverage

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