Ashish Nehra was roped in by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as bowling coach for the 11th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL).
Nehra, who recently retired from international cricket, called it a new beginning for him. The 38-year-old had earlier took part in IPL as a player. He has played for Mumbai Indians (2008), Delhi Daredevils (2009-2010 and 2013), Pune Warriors India (2011-2012), Chennai Super Kings (2014-2015), and Sunrisers Hyderabad 2016-2017).
"It is a new beginning for me. Everybody knows that how big a franchisee RCB has been. They have reached final three times, but couldn't cross the last hurdle so hoping for a good season," Nehra, who was in town for a promotional match organized by his IPL team, said.
Nehra is clear about his role. He doesn't want to teach bowlers what they already know. Instead, he would manage the available bowlers. "It will be more of a man-management thing for me, as I don't want to use the word coaching for my job at this stage. I see coaching from a player's point of view. I was playing till three-four months ago, so whatever I wanted from a coach, I will try to give it to my players," Nehra said.
"I can't and don't want to change anybody's game in the two-three months. I just want to change their frame of mind if there is a need for it. All my bowlers know how to bowl, but my job would be to tell them what to bowl when," the former India cricketer told Times of India.
Nehra thinks people's perspective towards bowlers makes it tough for them to get highlighted in T20 format. "As a batter even if you don't score for five-six innings, and then you score a 120-ball 40 or a 130-ball 50, it is more highlighted. But it is other way round for a bowler. You might pick three wickets in four overs giving away 25 runs, it may go unnoticed. But if you give 60 runs in four overs, it will get highlighted," the Delhi player said.
"But in terms of cricketing contribution, I feel bowlers have an equal role to play, especially at a venue like Bangalore or Mumbai, where everybody knows wicket is going to be a belter. Be it Tests, ODIs or T20s, bowlers have to do well to win the match. You can't win a Test match by scoring a 1,000 runs. You will have to take 20 wickets to win it."
Nehra, who will work along with Gary Kirsten, said his team will start to gather this week. "Although I have played with most of the players, I will start getting to know them better when we meet at the camp."
