Amit Mishra, born on November 24, 1982, is an Indian cricketer known for his classical legspin and attacking style of play. Despite facing tough competition from Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, Mishra has managed to establish himself as a prominent spinner in the cricketing world.
Mishra made his international debut in 2003 during an ODI triangular in Bangladesh but had to wait until 2008 to get his first opportunity in Tests. His chance came when Kumble got injured and couldn’t play in the Mohali Test against Australia. Mishra seized the moment and had a dream start to his Test career by becoming the sixth Indian to take a five-wicket haul on debut. He finished the series with an impressive tally of 14 wickets from three Tests, cementing his position as India’s first-choice legspinner.
However, Mishra’s struggles in international cricket were not far behind. He faced difficulties in extracting turn on flat pitches and struggled with accuracy, which led to other spinners overtaking him in the pecking order. Nevertheless, Mishra remained a vital asset for the Haryana Ranji side, consistently collecting wickets and showcasing his skill.
It is in the Indian Premier League (IPL) where Mishra has truly shined. He has been one of the best spinners in the tournament and holds the record for the most hat-tricks, having achieved the feat for three different teams – Delhi Daredevils in 2008, Deccan Chargers in 2011, and Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013. In 2015, Mishra returned to the team he initially played for, with the Delhi Daredevils securing his services for INR 3.5 crore.
Mishra’s remarkable performances in the IPL earned him a call-up to the Indian ODI squad for the Champions Trophy in England and the tour to Zimbabwe in 2013. He made a significant impact, picking up 18 wickets at an astonishing average of 11.61 in five ODIs against Zimbabwe, equaling Javagal Srinath’s record for the most wickets in a bilateral series. Mishra’s success continued in the World T20 in Bangladesh the following year, where he took 10 wickets at an average of 14.70 and an economy rate of 6.68 runs per over.
Amidst a lack of younger options, Mishra was recalled to the Test side for India’s 2015 tour of Sri Lanka, playing Tests after a four-year gap. He formed an excellent partnership with R Ashwin, picking up 15 wickets in three Tests at an average of 15. Although he only played in two out of four Tests during the 2015-16 home series against South Africa due to the re-emergence of Ravindra Jadeja, Mishra performed commendably on spin-friendly pitches. His seven wickets at an average of 17.28 included crucial dismissals such as AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, and JP Duminy.
Amit Mishra’s career has been a rollercoaster ride, but he has consistently showcased his skill and determination on the cricket field. With his classical legspin and ability to surprise batsmen with variations, Mishra has proven to be an invaluable asset to both the Indian team and various IPL franchises. As he continues to be a force to be reckoned with, cricket fans eagerly anticipate his future performances.
