Nayar wants to forget17-ball over,banks on first-class record

Even if Abhishek Nayar wants to forget the infamous 17-ball over in the Deodhar Trophy semi-final against North Zone last month,he is not being allowed to

Even if Abhishek Nayar wants to forget the infamous 17-ball over in the Deodhar Trophy semi-final against North Zone last month,he is not being allowed to. Nayar,who was bought for $675,000 by Pune Warriors this season,takes a deep breath and then breaks out into a broad smile when asked about what was going through his mind.

I just want to forget that over as soon as possible. It turned out to be pretty bad. At one point I was bowling cross-seam and still the ball was swinging. It was definitely a terrifying experience for me, he says. But what was more difficult was coming back and bowling the next over, Nayar adds.

That marathon over was perhaps the only little blemish in what turned out to be a fantastic season for Nayar. His Ranji team,Mumbai,won its 40th title and Nayar scored 977 runs at an average of 69.78 with three centuries. To add to that he scalped 21 wickets with his handy right-arm medium pace.

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I couldnt have asked for a better season. Also coming in to the IPL on the back of such a strong performance is ideal. I understand that T20 is a high pressure format but I am just concentrating on being consistent. For me this format is all about a good start. If I hit a big six early on or a wicket in my first over,then the game automatically goes well for me, he says.

Nayar was the most expensive Indian player in the auction with the Warriors buying him for $675,000 and he is keen to prove a point. He was dropped midway through the last IPL by Kings XI Punjab and he says that was a big blow.

It was tough time but then luckily for me,I enjoy hard work and I went back and did that. I had a good season and I want to make it better, he says. He is quick to brush off any pressure that his price-tag will saddle him with,I havent really felt any big-money pressure till now. However,I think I will understand the pressure as the tournament increases.

The southpaw is happiest about being reunited with his coach Praveen Amre. The latter is an assistant coach at the Warriors and Nayar says that his presence will be key. Praveen sir has always helped me out through rough patches. He is a very hardworking coach and he has supported me all through-out. It is always good to come to a franchise where the coach knows your strengths and will push you to bring out your best, he says.

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Nayar who has been a part of three franchises over the six seasons of the IPL is gung-ho about sharing a dressing room with the likes of Angelo Mathews and Marlon Samuels.