Rain playing spoilsport in Chennai where leggie Amit Mishra was pumped to perform

Amit Mishra the veteran leg-spinner is no stranger to challenges of playing international cricket and the gruelling process of making a comeback. Mishra who is playing for Haryana in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy feels that the grind of domestic cricket can be demanding and you have to start from the scratch. 

Haryana was to go up against Jharkhand on September 19, at the M. A. Chidambaram International Cricket Stadium, Chennai. It is the same ground where the Indian leg-spinner played his last Test match against England two years back. However, the match got abandoned due to bad weather; typical Chennai weather at this time of the year.

Players frustrated by cloud cover and rain at Chepauk Stadium

Amit Mishra along with his Haryana team-mates, off-spinning all-rounder Jayant Yadav and paceman Mohit Sharma, got frustrated by the marred weather in Chennai. The three ex-Indian players form a formidable bowling attack for Haryana, were itching to perform and eager to reclaim their India spot. 

With the World Cup inching closer, everyone is looking to display their prowess and have plenty to play for. Mishra, the most experienced among the three bowlers told The Hindu, “The Vijay Hazare tournament is a good opportunity for us.”

He believes in pitching the ball up-to-the batsmen and defeat them in flight and variations, which he has in surplus. “I like to deceive the batsmen. But control is crucial. Yes, I have the variety but it is important to mix it up well,” said Mishra.

Commenting on the present breed of leg-spinners, he said, “it’s healthy. But I am my biggest competitor. I lost my India place because of injury, not form. Now I am fit and confident.” 

His Haryana team-mate and present Indian leggie Yuzvendra Chahal share a good rapport with him. “We discuss our craft, think of ways to get batsmen out,” informed Mishra.

Style close to Warne but heart close to Kumble: Mishra

Finally, comparing his style with two of the greatest leg-spinners of all times, Shane Warne and Anil Kumble, the Haryana leggie admired Kumble more even though his above-the-eyeline style was close to Warne. “He was such a great match-winner. Played with so much intensity and fight,” told the veteran leggie. 

The 35-year old Mishra is all fired up to make his India return and shut the critics who feel age is a major factor in selection. “I want to play for the country again,” asserted Amit Mishra. 

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