Amit Mishra Opens Up About Career Highs and Lows Under Dhoni and Kohli’s Captaincy

New Delhi, 17th July 2024: MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli stand out as pivotal figures in Indian cricket, each leaving a distinct mark on the game. Dhoni achieved a unique feat by captaining India to victories in all three major ICC tournaments, while Kohli emerged as India’s most successful Test captain. Under their leadership, numerous players debuted and either carved successful careers or faced uncertain paths. One such player is Amit Mishra, a veteran spinner who debuted under Anil Kumble and played during both Dhoni’s and Kohli’s tenures, though his career was hindered significantly by injuries.

Mishra’s international career saw him feature in 22 Tests, 36 ODIs, and 10 T20Is, claiming 156 wickets. Despite his contributions, Mishra’s journey ended on a subdued note. He revealed in a candid interview that certain incidents left him disheartened, starting with a Test against Bangladesh in 2010. Despite a standout performance where he took 7 wickets and scored a fifty, he was inexplicably left out of the next match’s playing XI.

“In team selection, being liked matters a lot,” Mishra shared on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube show ‘Unplugged’. “Just playing good cricket isn’t enough. The captain decides the play XI. I had a good rapport with MS Dhoni, but even after asking him twice, I didn’t get a clear reason for my exclusion.”

Mishra continued to make sporadic appearances until 2011 but faced uncertainty. He participated in the 2014 T20 World Cup and became a stalwart in the IPL, yet consistency in the national team eluded him. Transitioning to Kohli’s captaincy didn’t bring clarity either. Mishra recalled a particularly disheartening moment when, despite performing well and being needed as a leg-spinner in Sri Lanka, he struggled to get a clear answer about his future from Kohli after sustaining a knee injury.

“The toughest moment of my career was when I got injured during a match,” Mishra reflected. “Despite prior instances where injured players were given automatic comebacks, it didn’t happen for me. Even after reaching out to Kohli for clarity, I never received a definitive response.”

Mishra’s career reflects both the highs and the challenges faced by many talented players striving to secure their place in Indian cricket’s competitive landscape.