Ashish Nehra is in Goa these days. No, not for a post-retirement holiday, but on a house hunting mission with plans of settling down in the tourist paradise. Well, at least for a while.
“I have two young kids, and like every parent, I worry about their health and well-being at large. If we can choose to live in a place where the weather is better and pollution is less, then why not”, he tells me as we catch up over a phone call.
Goa is one of the most pollution-free and scenic places, and Nehra loves beaches more than the mountains. “It’s a good option if you want to stay in India.”
“It’s quiet, beautiful and the kind of place where I can give maximum time to my family. I am a very simple man. All I need is shorts, a t-shirt, slippers, sunglasses and my family around me. And the best part about Goa is that it’s lush green, aur humme ghas dekhe bina neend nahi aati.”
Nehra has already found a school for his kids in Goa, which according to him is the most prominent challenge as a parent. As for as the house, he hopes to find one soon.
From Cricketer to Commentator
This is Nehra’s second innings – his life after cricket – and it seems like he has settled very well into it. When I asked what has changed, his answer is crisp and straightforward. ‘Yaar cricket khelna bahut miss karta hoon. Bees saal wohi kiya. Par kabhi toh khatam hona tha.” (I miss playing cricket. I did this for 20 years, but it had to end one day.)
Nehra has always been practical and in-sync with reality. In the close circle of cricket players, ex and current, his acumen and knowledge of the game is widely acknowledged and respected.
Among his peers, he is outspoken, frank, precise and full of relevant facts and stats to prove his point – just like a good lawyer. When he speaks, everyone listens. Although some of his colleagues say, “what’s the choice?” This deep understanding of the game got him the nickname: Nehrjajee.
His transition from cricket pitch to commentary box was swift and expected. Nothing surprising. But what was surprising was to see him in suit and boot, wearing a proper tie and matching pocket square. Current Indian team members like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had a good laugh when they saw Nehra in this avatar. They couldn't expect the shorts-and-t-shirt man to be so prim and proper.
“They laughed a lot. But I told them if you are doing something, you have to do it properly. I may or may not be a good commentator, but at least I should look like one.” he replies with a good laugh.
Nehra has a sharp insight of the game has made an instant impact on the coverage of the game.
Talking Cricket from the Box
Nehra, along with Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, Murali Karthik and Aakash Chopra, have stirred the Hindi commentary. Thanks to them, at times, the Hindi version is far more insightful and entertaining.
“The Best thing is that they all are my friends' and colleagues for years. And we are doing what we have been doing all our lives. Talking about the game. So it's really great fun.” Nehra understands that talking about the game is far more comfortable than playing it.
Nasser Hussain is his favourite commentator. He likes his analytical thoughts on the game expressed so effortlessly to the cricket viewers.
“My funda, while doing commentary, is that I think like a captain of the team on the field in that situation and express myself. I keep it simple and natural.”
Journey from IPL Player to IPL Coach
Nehra has not stopped just at the commentary box. Twenty years he spent in the game and his experience and ability would be valuable any team and young India aspirants. Just before his retirement, Nehra was in demand for IPL coaching assignments, but India and Royal Challenger Bangalore captain, Virat Kohli wanted him the most.
"Straight after my retirement, Cheeku called me and said, Ashu Bhai I want you to guide my team's bowling department. I happily accepted the challenge."
He is the mentor and bowling coach of the RCB. “This is a big challenge for me, and I am already looking forward to it. I hope my presence with RCB would make a difference.”
This year was also the first time Nehra witnessed the auction in a different capacity. Till last year, he would have been watching the auction from home, waiting for his name to be called out, but this year, he was deciding the fate of others as part of RCB’s team management.
When I entered the auction room, I was a bit amused to see so many laptops. Most of the teams and coaching staff were processing data of the players make their decisions. I entered empty-handed with hands in my pocket and initially looked a bit out of place. But as you know, I am not a gadget person, and I relied on the computer that has worked for me all these years. That’s my mind. I intend to use that more often.
Seems like it is entirely acceptable from a man who still doesn’t have any social media presence.
Is coaching Indian cricket team one of his ambitions? “Not right now, I have a young family and have just got out of playing cricket. I want to give them some time. But at some stage in my career, I would like to offer my services if needed. Also, few years of coaching in the IPL will help me to understand the job at this level and would make me more prepared.”
Nehra is also trying to develop cricketers at the grass root level. He already has six cricket academies, and few of them are in the pipeline. “I love spending time on the ground, and this is my way of keeping my connection with the cricket pitch.”
A man who was known for spending hours in the gym hasn’t picked weights for the last four months.
“Picking weights in the gym has been replaced by picking kids from the school. And I love it. I go to the gym for some cardio work, but serious weightlifting and all have stopped for a while.”
Life after cricket has become busier and demanding for the Delhi pacer. “My wife, Rushma has to deal with my emails and all the paperwork. She has become busier. You know I am not very good at it. But jokes apart, I couldn’t have asked for a better life partner to support me. She has been my rock.”
As we wrap our long chat with Nehraji, one gets the sense that he is in a good space. Retirements from the game aren’t always comfortable. It takes away everything from the life of a sportsman for which he lived and sacrificed. But someone like Nehra, who is a deeply rooted family man with solid Indian middle-class foundation, has adapted to it very easily.
So Nehraji signs off, “bhai dua kar aaj ghar final ho jaye, phir scooty bhi le lenge (wish me luck that I finalise my house today. Then I’ll even buy a scooty.)“ A simple man, simple choices, life after cricket can't be more refreshing and straightforward. Nehrajee deserved it.