Nehra feeling 145;wanted146; again

What is it about Ashish Nehra that makes him so valuable? Despite not playing competitive cricket for almost a year...

What is it about Ashish Nehra that makes him so valuable? Despite not playing competitive cricket for almost a year, and spending seven months in London, Germany and South Africa for rehabilitation, sources say the left-arm seamer has been signed by Mumbai Indians as the highest paid cricketer who was not up for auction.

The Sachin Tendulkar-led franchise outbid the Delhi Daredevils and the Jaipur team, both of whom had showed a keen interest in Nehra. This feeling of being wanted after a long time is making the former Indian paceman very excited. While Nehra refused to disclose the money offered to him, saying its a 8220;significant amount,8221; owners of Mumbai Indians are keeping mum on the issue.

However, sources say his contract could be in the region of Rs 1.20 to Rs 1.75 crores.

8220;The problem with me was injury, not ability. People tend to forget cricketers easily, that8217;s why they categorise me as a domestic player. I was out of international cricket because of injury, not because I was dropped on performance. I knew that if I am fit, I can impress anybody and I will have my buyers.

8220;At the same time, they also know that if Nehra plays he will ask for proper money,8221; he told The Indian Express.

Nehra believes he deserves the money he8217;s getting despite being out of international action since September 2005. 8220;Why not?8221; he shoots back? 8220;For one year, nobody came and asked me where I was and how I was paying my medical bills. I have paid each and every penny of the lakhs I8217;ve spent on rehab and surgery. So I have every right to earn as well,8221; he says. Ishant Sharma might have overshadowed the 28-year old as the fastest Indian bowler, but Nehra says he8217;s still the country8217;s best in the death overs. 8220;I used to bowl four to five overs in the last 10. Even while playing in the sub-continent, I used to be the best in stopping runs and picking up wickets. So I think it8217;s that quality that is in demand considering Twenty20 is a batsman8217;s game,8221; he says.

Lots of options

Nehra says Tendulkar was in touch with him, to sign him for Mumbai, even from Australia. 8220;It8217;s very nice that Tendulkar showed so much confidence in me and I will try not to let him down. I am very happy to have got a good deal considering my situation. I8217;m more happy that I had the option to choose which team I wanted to play for. Delhi really tried their best to keep me but the offer from Mumbai was substantially higher.8221;

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Nehra had initially targetted the Ranji one-dayers and Deodhar Trophy for his comeback but, on the advice of his doctors, he8217;s postponed his plan by three weeks. 8220;It8217;s very frustrating not to have bowled for close to a year, but doctors said if I had waited for so long, it8217;s better that I wait for some more time. I will play in Delhi8217;s one-day knockout matches.8221;