He was dropped from the team after that Test.

His next Test performances shot him into the limelight. Displaying all the qualities of a good new ball bowler, he bamboozled the Zimbabwe batsmen, picking five wickets in the match and in the process earned India a famous Test victory outside the subcontinent after a long wait of 15 years.

After that, the left-armer went from strength to strength.

The tour to England was another feather in the cap for Nehra as he gave a fine demonstration of line and length bowling, coupled with swing and deadly yorkers.

The 2003 World Cup in South Africa was the stage to showcase his abilities. It was the first time that India's bowling had shown such depth and sting. He claimed a career-best 6 for 23 against England and in the process also recorded India's best bowling figures in all World Cups.

He underwent sugery on his ankle in April, following which he was forced to sit out of the Test series against New Zealand.

The whole of India is hoping he returns to full fitness and back to his best. With the tour to Australia coming up in December, Nehra holds the key to India's success Down Under.

Test debut: vs Sri Lanka, February 1999.
Wickets: 37, Average: 37.94, S/R: 72.4

ODI debut: vs Zimbabwe, June 2001
Wickets: 45, Average: 32.17, S/R: 42.8