Always good to have captain on your side: Ashish Nehra

Ashish Nehra

Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) Player of the Match for his impressive performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) tie against Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Ashish Nehra said that it is very important for any player to have the captain's faith, like Mahendra Singh Dhoni had in him.

"I have been someone, whether its Twenty20 cricket or One-Day Internationals (ODI), I have bowled 10 overs in three spells, at the start, middle and death. It's always good to see, like even today, Dhoni gave me over number 15," Nehra said after the CSK beat the home team at the Wankhede Stadium here on Friday night.

Riding on explosive hitting by openers Dwayne Smith (62) and Brendon McCullum (46), the Super Kings chased down a challenging target of 184 runs with 20 balls to spare. The six-wicket victory was the side's third success on the trot in IPL 2015.

"At one stage I was thinking he is giving me too early. But he came up to me and told me we need wickets. The way the game is going, the last 4-5 overs can be 80-90 runs. He said to me you have to look to pick wickets," said Nehra, who finished with figures of 4-0-23-3.

"I always tried to pick wickets and that's what happened. Everyone knows how dangerous Rohit can be. It was good to get him out. It's always good to have the captain on your side and the kind of rhythm I am in, I am quite confident."

When asked if he was happy not to bowl to teammates Smith and McCullum, Nehra said, "Definitely. The kind of form they are in, especially McCullum. You all have watched him in the World Cup. So it's always good to have them in my team."

The 35-year-old has been in good shape right from the first match of the season and has picked up six wickets in three matches.

"I have been in good rhythm. I also had a good Champions League last year. Sometimes in T20 you are bowling well, you don't pick wickets, so people don't notice. But like I am bowling with the new ball and picking wickets up front, which is really healthy for the team, especially in T20. I am quite happy," Nehra concluded.