More pressure in comeback than when debuting: Nehra

Kolkata, Feb 21 (IANS) After making a return to the Indian cricket team after almost five years, fast bowler Ashish Nehra said that it is much more difficult to make a comeback than making a debut.

The veteran last featured for the Indian team in the 2011 World Cup semi-final and then missed the ultimate showdown with a finger injury. He was recalled to the outfit after almost five years to play in Australia in the recent Twenty20 International series which India won 3-0.

"It's very difficult to make a comeback. There is more pressure than when debuting. After a comeback, there is a lot of pressure to perform. But when I was away from the game, I was training to play international cricket and now I've made a comeback at 36," Nehra said here on Sunday.

"It's not easy for pacers to keep performing day in and day out. There will be pressure. You have to keep working hard."

After his return to the international scene, Nehra has been impressive, picking up seven wickets in the six matches he has played in against Australia and Sri Lanka. The left-arm pacer said the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been of great help.

"You don't play many T20Is nowadays so the IPL has been of great help. You get used to it as a bowler. I know my job and now I have the experience too. In the last 3-4 years, I have learnt double. I know my body better and I just want to keep training hard," he said during a media session before the team's departure for Bangladesh for Asia Cup.

The Indian team will play the Asia Cup, for the first time being held in the shortest format of the game, in Mirpur from February 24 to March 6.

For the last few matches, Nehra has been sharing the old and new ball with newcomer Jasprit Bumrah. He said the chemistry between the two is good.

"It's a good experience. It's not that I tell him all the things, I learn from him too. We are two very different bowlers. With his action, he is difficult to pick. We are having a good partnership and hope to continue it in the Asia Cup and World Twenty20," added the Delhi player.

"I don't believe in spearheads (of a bowling attack). I can have a bad day and others need to chip in. My job is to help the others (bowlers) and I try and do it."

Left-arm spinning all-rounder Pawan Negi, who was also present at the media session, said he is enjoying the fact that he will be part of the Indian dressing room for the Asia Cup and World T20.

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