Fast approaching 37, Ashish Nehra has been the unsung hero of India's bowling resurgence in Twenty20 cricket. It came as a surprise to many when Nehra got picked in India's side to tour Australia and be a part of the Twenty20s - a format generally suited for youngsters. And Nehraji, as everyone calls him out of respect, has repaid the faith shown in him. His job in the team is very simple, make the best use of the new ball, take wickets and keep the runs down. And, he did that superbly on Wednesday night during his 3/23 effort against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup T20 opener helping India to a comprehensive 45-run win.

Nehra The Unplayable

His opening over saw five balls squaring up and beating the batsmen all ends up. Not just Bangladesh's opener Soumya Sarkar but any top left-hander in modern day cricket would've found his Wasim Akram-like movement difficult to face up to.

When Nehra Rewrites The Saying 'Old Is Gold'

The more you look at him, the more you it becomes clear that T20 cricket is not about age, it is about fitness. Seeing the way he throws himself around in the field, while trying to stop each run and going for those audacious saves in the outfield, we wonder whether he actually made his debut 17 years back.

But with a career spanning 10-12 injury lay-offs that kept him out of the team after making a serious impression on his return, Nehra leaves nothing to chance and says he needs to perform day in and day out to keep his place. "The pressure in international cricket is too much to perform. I need to keep doing my best each time I go out and that's how I will remain in the team. It is difficult for fast bowlers to keep performing consistently but that's how it is," Nehra said after India's win in Mirpur.