xtratime Logo

Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, pic: RCB/X

Xtra Time Web Desk: MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli are two transformative figures in Indian cricket, celebrated for their exceptional batting and leadership qualities. Dhoni uniquely led India to victory in all three major ICC trophies, while Kohli became the country's most successful Test captain. Under their leadership, many players debuted and some became superstars, while others faded into obscurity. One such player is Amit Mishra, a veteran spinner whose career was hindered by injuries.

Mishra, who debuted under Anil Kumble and played under both Dhoni and Kohli, had a respectable career with 22 Tests, 36 ODIs, and 10 T20Is, taking 156 wickets. However, his career ended on a disappointing note, as he never officially announced his retirement but is unlikely to play for India again. Mishra, in a candid interview, shared experiences that left him disheartened, starting with a 2010 Test against Bangladesh where he took seven wickets and scored a fifty but was still dropped for the next game.

Mishra revealed on Shubhankar Mishra's YouTube show 'Unplugged' that team selection often depended on factors beyond performance. Despite having a good rapport with Dhoni, he was told he didn’t fit the team combination and was given rest he hadn’t requested. Mishra felt he wasn’t in a position to question Dhoni directly, even though the coach advised him to do so.

Read More:

Wasim Akram thrilled by the video of a Pakistani boy imitating Bumrah goes viral, watch here

"Being liked matters a lot in team selection. Just playing good cricket isn't enough. The captain always decides the Playing XI. I had an excellent rapport with MS Dhoni. I asked him twice why I wasn't getting picked, he told me that I don't fit the combination," he said on Shubhankar Mishra's YouTube show 'Unplugged'. "I was told that I was being given a rest. I never asked for it. I hadn't even played 10 Test matches by then, why would I ask for a rest or break? If I have to tell you honestly, I wasn't in a position [to question Dhoni]. Yes, I asked the coach, and he told me to go ask Dhoni, but like I said, I wasn't in that position to go and ask Dhoni. I asked the coach again and he just said we are giving you rest."

Under Kohli's captaincy, Mishra's situation did not improve. He made sporadic appearances until 2011 and participated in the 2014 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. Despite his IPL success, Mishra remained sidelined without clear explanations. He described his worst career moment as a knee injury five years ago, which occurred after he had been the Man of the Series against New Zealand. Despite a rule that injured players would get an automatic comeback, Mishra did not receive this consideration.

Mishra recounted asking Kohli for clarity about his career during an IPL match against RCB. Although Kohli promised to help, Mishra felt left in uncertainty. Kohli did assist in Mishra's comeback for the 2016 series against Sri Lanka, but after another injury, Mishra’s attempts to seek clarity went unanswered. Despite messaging Kohli, he never received a definitive response.

Read More: 

SRI vs IND: Hardik skipper in the T20I, no return for Pant, Bumrah

"The worst I've felt in my career was when I picked up a knee injury five years ago. It happened in between the match. The series before I was the Man of the Series and the Man of the match against New Zealand. And this used to be the rule back then, not sure if it still happens but if you get injured while playing, you are given an automatic comeback. It happened with Wriddhiman Saha, Anil Kumble and Hardik Pandya, but I never got it," said Mishra.

"During the IPL, our last match was against RCB. I asked him to give a clear picture about my career. He said 'Mishy bhai, I'll ask and let you know'. Virat Kohli helped me in my comeback series against Sri Lanka – 2016. I was doing well and India needed a leg-spinner who could bowl in Sri Lanka. When I came back, he said, 'from today, you will train for fitness with me'. I told him I can't lift weights like you but I can run and whatever else you want. Then I got injured so I asked him again, but I never got a clear answer. I messaged him. He read the text and said 'I'll let you know' but never did."