Nehra calls on India to nurture fast bowlers

Ashish Nehra, who has recently been recalled in the Indian T20 squad for the upcoming series against Australia, has urged his side to nurture and support fast bowlers in order to sustain them for longer period of time.

"If somebody says India doesn't have talent, I won't agree. But the only thing is you have to look after them well, nurture and support them. When Test cricket is not on and you have 3-4 bowlers who only play T20s and ODIs, you have to keep an eye on them. How to look after fast bowlers is very important if you want them to sustain for 10-12 years and play for India? When they are young, 90 percent of fast bowlers don't know what to do. When they mature, sometimes it's too late," Nehra was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Expressing his disappointment for not being picked in the squad for a long period, Nehra asserted that he was surprised by it and, therefore, working really hard in order to deliver well in the upcoming World T20.

"I was surprised when they weren't picking me for the last two to three years to be honest. Better late than never, hopefully I can do well, I am just working hard. If I go to Australia and play the World T20 and deliver, people will say 'Oh he should have been there earlier. If I don't people will say it was right that they didn't pick him!' That's how it works in India. Whatever is gone is gone, I am just looking forward and hopefully everything will go my way," he added.

Nehra, who will turn 37 this year, said that age was just number for him until he was fit and added that he had always worked hard to play well in the international cricket.

Nehra, who revealed that being selected for the World T20 would be a major 'goal' for him, appeared last for his country during the semifinals of the victorious 2011 World Cup against Pakistan.

The left-armer was ignored for nearly five years before being recalled in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

India will play three-match T20 series against Australia, starting from January 26 in Adelaide.