India vs New Zealand: Pacer Ashish Nehra's farewell game at New Delhi in doubt

Mumbai: BCCI’s chairman of selectors MSK Prasad on Monday stated that the decision of pacer Ashish Nehra’s inclusion in the playing XI for India’s first T20 against New Zealand on November 1 at New Delhi will be taken by the team management.

"Whether he (Nehra) is going to play or not, is clearly the decision of the team management. There are no assurances from our side (selectors), whether he is going to play or not. It will purely be decided by the team management,” Prasad was quoted saying to PTI.

Ashish Nehra on October 12 had announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after the first T20 against New Zealand at his home ground, the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi.

As a result, the 38-year-old veteran was named in the 16-man squad for the T20 series against the Kiwis, along with uncapped Mohammed Siraj and Shreyas Iyer.

However, Prasad made it clear that Nehra would be considered only till the end of the New Zealand T20s. "There are lot of apprehensions going on about Ashish Nehra. I will make it very clear and candid -- we have clearly communicated to the player, that is Ashish Nehra and the team management, that we are only looking at him till the New Zealand series," he said.

Virat Kohli-led Team India on Sunday lost to Kane Williamson’s New Zealand side by six wickets in the first ODI at the Wankhede Stadium here. The Men in Blue will now hope to level the series when the two teams face off in the second ODI at Pune on Wednesday.