Ashish Nehra, born on 29th April 1979, is a former cricketer and cricket coach, known for his contributions in all formats of the game. In late 2017, Nehra decided to retire from all forms of cricket, and his final appearance was in the Twenty20 International match against New Zealand on 1st November 2017 at Feroz Shah Kotla Ground. During his cricket career, Nehra was part of the Indian team that became joint-winners of the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy, sharing the title with Sri Lanka. He was also a member of the victorious squad that secured the 2011 Cricket World Cup for India.
Ashish Nehra Bio
| Full Name | Ashish Nehra |
| Bowling | Left Arm Fast Bowler |
| Place of Birth | Sadar bazaar, Delhi Cantt, New Delhi |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in |
| Age | 45 years (as of 2025) |
| Wife | Rushma Nehra |
| Test Debut | 24 February 1999 v Sri Lanka |
| ODI Debut | 21 June 2001 v Zimbabwe |
| T20I Debut | 9 December 2009 v Sri Lanka |
| Major Teams Played For | India, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi, Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai Indians, Pune Warriors, Sunrisers Hyderabad |
About Ashish Nehra
Ashish Nehra, or Nehraji as he is popularly known, is a former Indian fast bowler. He is known for his bowling in limited overs, especially in T20. Nehra has always suffered injuries and fitness issues. He once revealed that he had to undergo over 12 surgeries. As a result, he was absent from important international competitions such as the World Cup, the Asia Cup, and the Champions Trophy. However, much of his success came in the IPL, where he was particularly known for his death over bowling and mentorship during the same.
All Cricket Fielding Positions Names and Explanation
Family
Image: Asian AgeNehra was born on 29 April 1979 to Diwan Singh Nehra and his wife Sumitra Nehra. He has a brother named Bhanu Nehra. He is a restaurateur.
Ashish Nehra Wife
Image: India TodayAshish Nehra is married to Rushma Nehra. She is a socially active personality, with more than 76 K followers on Instagram.
All Cricket Fielding Positions Names and Explanation
Ashish Nehra Career
On 26th February 2003, during the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup, Ashish Nehra achieved a remarkable feat, taking 6 wickets for just 23 runs against England. To this day, this stands as the best bowling performance by an Indian bowler in Cricket World Cup history. Recognizing his exceptional talent, the ICC included Nehra in the ‘Team of the Tournament’ for the 2016 T20 World Cup. Further showcasing his prowess, in the 2013-14 Ranji Trophy, he produced a stellar performance, taking 6 wickets for 16 runs in just 10 overs, effectively dismissing Vidarbha for a mere 88 runs in their first innings at the Roshanara Club Ground in Delhi.
Career Statistics
- Ashish Nehra Bowling Stats
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 17 | 29 | 3447 | 1866 | 44 | 4/72 | 6/117 | 42.40 | 3.24 | 78.3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI | 120 | 120 | 5751 | 4981 | 157 | 6/23 | 6/23 | 31.72 | 5.19 | 36.6 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| T20I | 27 | 27 | 588 | 758 | 34 | 3/19 | 3/19 | 22.29 | 7.73 | 17.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 90 | – | 16966 | 8832 | 303 | 7/14 | – | 29.14 | 3.12 | 55.9 | – | 14 | 4 |
| List A | 201 | – | 9701 | 8086 | 245 | 6/23 | 6/23 | 33.00 | 5.00 | 39.5 | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| T20 | 132 | 132 | 2845 | 3653 | 162 | 4/10 | 4/10 | 22.54 | 7.70 | 17.5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
- Ashish Nehra Batting & Fielding Stats
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 17 | 25 | 11 | 77 | 19 | 5.50 | 256 | 30.07 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| ODI | 120 | 46 | 21 | 141 | 24 | 5.64 | 246 | 57.31 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 18 | 0 |
| T20I | 27 | 5 | 0 | 28 | 22 | 5.60 | 39 | 71.79 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| FC | 90 | 109 | 31 | 756 | 57 | 9.69 | – | – | 0 | 1 | – | – | 25 | 0 |
| List A | 201 | 87 | 35 | 463 | 37* | 8.90 | – | – | 0 | 0 | – | – | 37 | 0 |
| T20 | 132 | 28 | 15 | 69 | 22* | 5.30 | 102 | 67.64 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 27 | 0 |
Virat Kohli Biography | Age | Stats | Centuries | Family
Ashish Nehra’s Coaching Career
Image: Circle of CricketIn January 2018, Ashish Nehra took on the role of the bowling coach for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He continued in this position for the 2019 IPL season.
In January 2022, Nehra was appointed as the head coach of the newly established IPL franchise, Gujarat Titans. The team’s stellar performance in the 2022 IPL season saw them finish at the top of the table and eventually secure victory in the final against the Rajasthan Royals. Nehra’s coaching prowess earned him the distinction of becoming the first Indian head coach to win the Indian Premier League title.
His coaching credentials soared further when the Titans were the runners-up the next season. The Titans came seventh the following season, but once again, Nehra is at the forefront this season. The Titans are currently claiming the top position on the table with 12 points.
Ashish Nehra Cricket Academy
Source: Hindustan TimesThe Ashish Nehra Cricket Academy, founded by the former Indian cricketer, offers comprehensive coaching and top-notch facilities to aspiring cricketers. With a focus on skill development and mental strength, the academy aims to groom the next generation of cricketing talents and foster a love for the game. Motivated by his legendary coach Tarak Sinha, Nehra built a strong advisory team including Ajay Jadeja, Zaheer Khan, and Ajit Agarkar. The academy has given more than 425 players success and over 125 trophies in various tournaments.
Ashish Nehra Retirement
Credits: LivemintHe shattered the well-set habit of retirement by retiring the very same venue where it all started for him way back in 1999 - Feroz Shah Kotla. The left-arm seamer was up against New Zealand in the opening T20 of a T20I fixture. He did not finish with a bang on the field, as he ended up wicket-less on that occasion, but he smiled throughout and enjoyed his final match, right from the first delivery onward, even when his bowling was plundered for boundaries.
Given this was a team the nation grew fond of, Nehra was the team man this country went to cherish. Together with his lot, he laid the foundation for what India is today: a world-beating force. He illustrated the classic example of a player who has seen it all from the days of Ganguly, Dravid, Anil Kumble, and M.S. Dhoni. There were days when Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh put an absolute battering to bowlers, Harbhajan Singh would make the ball leap from the pitch, bite with viciousness, and spin like tornadoes from a good length.
This team had completely changed the outlook of Indian fielding, with predators patrolling point and cover, the first Indian side that could be truly called electric in the field.
Conclusion
Ashish Nehra’s journey through Indian cricket is one of resilience, evolution, and untiring spirit. From a battle against injuries to celebrating World Cup glory, from playing memorable spells to nurturing the younger generation, Nehra made his mark not just as a fast bowler but as quite a beloved person in Indian cricket. His retirement marked the end of an era, a reminder of the time when Indian cricket was establishing its fierce identity. Nehra is now shaping the game he loves dearly as a coach, mentor, and inspiration, and he leaves behind a legacy that will be cherished by generations of players and fans.
FAQs
When and where was Ashish Nehra Born?Ashish Nehra was born on 29th April in Sadar Bazaar, Delhi Cantt, New Delhi, India.
When did Ashish Nehra retire from international cricket?Ashish Nehra retired from all forms of cricket on 1st November 2017, after playing his final T20I match against New Zealand at the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground, Delhi.
What is Ashish Nehra’s best figure in international cricket?His best bowling figure in international cricket is 6 wickets for 23 runs against England during the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Which IPL teams did Ashish Nehra play for?Ashish Nehra played for various teams in IPL, including Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai Indians, Pune Warriors, Chennai Super Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Which team did Ashish Nehra coach post-retirement?Nehra took over as the bowling coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore post-retirement and later went on to become the head coach of Gujarat Titans.