'End of an era', mates bid adieu to Ashish Nehra

As Indian cricketer Ashish Nehra played his career's final cricket match beating New Zealand in Twenty20 internationals, his mates bid adieu to the fast bowling legend.

The veteran speedster retired from all forms of cricket on Wednesday after bowling his last ball at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium and defeating New Zealand by 53 runs in the first of three T20I.

It was a historical day for India as they broke the spell against Kiwis to establish their first T20I win against them and also for Nehra as his bid adieu to his career on the ground where it all started.

Taking to Twitter, Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli wished Nehra for his future endeavors.

"Another good win and a complete team performance. Wishing Ashish bhaiya all the luck for everything in the future. It's been an honor sharing the field and the dressing room with you. ???? @BCCI #INDvNZ #NehraJi," Kohli said.

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag also congratulated Nehra for a wonderful career, while dubbing his retirement as "end of an era."

"End of an era, Ashish Nehra. Congratulations on a fighting and wonderful career. Wish you the best , Ashish," he tweeted.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar also wished Nehra on his farewell and said, "Great win, #TeamIndia! Nice to see a well deserved farewell for #AshishNehra. Wish you & your family the best of health & happiness in life."

India's off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also extended his wishes to Nehra on Twitter and posted a picture of both doing, 'Bhangra' post World Cup 2011 win.

Following the match, Nehra gave an emotional goodbye to his team and said, "It is an emotional moment. I am lucky that I bid adieu to cricket from my home ground. I still remember 1997, when I bowled my first over."

Talking about his future plans after retirement, the fast bowler said, "I know only cricket. I haven't decided what I will do next. I will sit and relax and think."

The left-arm fast bowler made his international debut way back in 1999 against Sri Lanka in Colombo.He was also a part of the young Indian brigade that played the 2003 World Cup.

The Indian star bid adieu from the game with a tally of 235 wickets from 164 matches across all the formats in international cricket.