Amit Mishra still harbours hope of a comeback to the Indian team
Leg-spinner Amit Mishra is hopeful of making a comeback to the national team by impressing for the India A team which will take on Australia A in a two-match series, starting July 22. Speaking to reporters ahead of the first match which will be played at the at the MA Chidambaram stadium, the 32-year-old feels a good performance against the visitors could open the doors for a return to the senior fold, The Indian Express reports.
The Haryana leggie was India’s second leading wicket taker at the T20 World Cup held in Bangladesh last year but has since featured only sparingly for the senior team. The likes of Karn Sharma and Axar Patel has pushed Mishra down the pecking order, but Mishra is not ready to give up just yet.
“As a professional cricketer, you have to perform wherever you get an opportunity. I am here to perform and get my place back in the Indian team. The Indian team has been really doing well. So there is healthy yet strong competition for slots in the team. My job is to forget everything and perform here,” he said.
When asked about the variations a leg spinner should work on, Mishra replied: "Depends from player to player. For some, it may be their leg-break, for some their straighter ones. You need to take advice from seniors and then work hard on those variations."
I am still learning as a bowler: Mishra
Mishra, who plays for Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, says he is still trying to develop his game to suit the various pitch conditions. New India A team coach Rahul Dravid is certainly one person he has been talking to on how to improve his variations.
“Look, he has 20 years of experience,” Mishra said. “From a batsman’s perspective, he can give me tips as to what I should bowl or not bowl in these conditions. Also, he can plan for a team like Australia.”
He has also been taking advice from Anil Kumble and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan as well, having a chat with the latter after his arrival in Chennai.
"I caught up with LS once I arrived in Chennai. The discussion was basically on the technical aspects of bowling including the pace with which one needs to bowl. I've also caught up with Anil bhai whenever an opportunity arose. Till you are playing, you are always learning and that shouldn't stop at all," Mishra said, according to the Times Of India.