Amit Mishra, the veteran leg-spinner who recently retired from all forms of cricket after a career spanning 25 years, has shared a memorable anecdote from his early days with the Indian team. The interaction, which took place during his ODI debut in 2003, involved legendary Indian pacer Javagal Srinath and left a lasting impression on the young Mishra.
Mishra made his international debut in an ODI against South Africa in Dhaka in 2003. As a newcomer to the team, he found himself surrounded by iconic figures of Indian cricket, including Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Sourav Ganguly, and Harbhajan Singh. In an interview, Mishra fondly recalled the camaraderie and support he received from his seniors.
Describing the interaction with Srinath, Mishra recounted how the seasoned pacer addressed him in "broken Hindi," playfully referring to him as a "Desi boy". Srinath's words, "Desi Chore, Laya Kuch Hamare Liye?" which translates to "Country boy, have you brought something for us?", were delivered in a lighthearted manner, making Mishra feel welcome and at ease in the team environment.
Mishra, reflecting on the incident, acknowledged the significance of such interactions in shaping a young player's confidence and integration into the team. He emphasized the importance of senior players creating a comfortable atmosphere for newcomers, allowing them to express themselves and perform to their potential. Mishra himself, throughout his career, played with stars from Sachin Tendulkar's era to MS Dhoni, and later, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He considered himself fortunate to have had supportive captains and seniors.
Amit Mishra's journey in cricket began in the early 2000s, where he distinguished himself with his classical leg spin, characterized by generous flight, sharp leg breaks, and an effective googly. He debuted in domestic cricket for Haryana in 2000, and after three years, he made his international debut for Team India in an ODI against South Africa. Despite a promising start, Mishra's opportunities in the national side were limited due to the presence of established spinners like Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. After playing three ODIs in the Bangladesh tri-series in 2003, he had to wait five years before getting another chance in international cricket.
Mishra's Test debut came in 2008 against Australia in Mohali, where he made an immediate impact by taking a five-wicket haul. He finished the series with 14 wickets in three matches. Despite this promising start, he struggled to maintain a consistent place in the Test squad.
After his last international appearance in 2017, Mishra continued to play domestic cricket and in the IPL. He played his final IPL match for Lucknow Super Giants against Rajasthan Royals in 2024. In his IPL career, Mishra played 162 matches and took 174 wickets, making him one of the most successful bowlers in the league's history. He also holds the distinction of being the only bowler to have taken three hat-tricks in the IPL.
Mishra has 76 wickets in 22 Tests, 64 wickets in 36 ODIs, and 16 wickets in 10 T20Is. He was also a part of India's winning squad in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
