Former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra regrets hurling abuses at wicketkeeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni, during the fourth One-day International (ODI) against Pakistan in Ahmedabad. The incident took place on April 12, 2005 during Pakistan’s tour of India.
Nehra was left fuming when Shahid Afridi edged a wide delivery, in the fourth over of the innings, but the ball went between Dhoni and Rahul Dravid who was standing in the slip cordon.
“In a video that went viral, I am seen hurling abuses at MS after an edge off Shahid Afridi’s bat goes between Dhoni and Rahul Dravid at first slip. People assume it’s from the Vizag match, but that incident is from the fourth ODI in Ahmedabad. However, I must admit I am not proud of my behaviour,” Nehra was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
“I had been hit for six by Afridi off just the previous ball. There was the usual pressure of an India-Pakistan match. Suddenly, I created a chance and it was missed. I lost my cool. That wasn’t the only incident where a player has lost his cool in that manner. Both Dravid and Dhoni were fine with me after the game but that doesn’t justify my behaviour,” he added.
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Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq smashed the final delivery of the match, while chasing a target of 316 runs, from Sachin Tendulkar for a boundary to lead his side to a thrilling series-levelling win over India.
Tendulkar ended up on the losing side despite top-scoring for the hosts with 123. He added 129 off 135 balls for the second wicket with Dhoni (47) after putting on 65 for the first with Virender Sehwag (29).
Inzamam provided the fitting climax after Afridi smashed 40 off 23 balls and Salman Butt (48) and Shoaib Malik (65) flayed the Indian attack despite the challenging target.
India had hit back with four quick wickets to reduce Pakistan to 7 for 295 and set up a heart-stopping climax.
Pakistan, who needed three runs off the final six deliveries, were restricted to just two runs in five balls by Tendulkar before Inzamam beat the in-field to signal his team's victory.