The Haryana leg-spinner had reasons to believe that he had fared well against the West Indies in 2011 - the last time he played for India before the Zimbabwe tour. Given his 11 wickets at a healthy average of 18.98 and a credible economy rate of 3.98 to boot against a side known for its big-hitting ways, that too in their backyard, one couldn't argue with him on that.
But for reasons best known to the team management, he wasn't picked for India following that stint. It was only after yet another impressive IPL season that the 30-year-old was drafted into the Indian side for the Champions Trophy and tri-series in the West Indies where again he didn't get a game.
With R Ashwin rested, Mishra finally got a look in against Zimbabwe and he made sure the opportunity wasn't wasted. While it was seamers who were supposed to relish the conditions, Mishra showed he has the guile to get wickets in any condition, taking 18 wickets in five matches, the most by any bowler in a five-match bilateral series. He finished the series with an impressive average of 11.98.
Former India spinner Narendra Hirwani who has mentored Mishra in recent times feels that the change in attitude has worked for his tribesman.
"One has to understand that leg spinners are genuine wicket-takers. They purchase wickets and sometimes they go for runs. Team management needs to back them. Look what he did when he got to play all five matches. The good thing about Amit is he doesn't shy of trying different things; always keeps thinking about getting the batsman out and is a good student of game. He doesn't feel intimated even after being hit for a boundary. He sticks to his plans which I think is very simple: to get wickets," Hirwani told TOI.
Following his Caribbean outing, Mishra was picked for the Test tour of England in 2011 where he failed to impress. In his defence, it was a series where no Indian bowler set the field on fire but the axe fell on Mishra.
Mishra had to go back to the grind of domestic cricket and work his way back into the team and that's exactly what he did. "His morale was bit down and that's where a player needs support. I didn't do anything special with him. It was just minor technical changes. However, we spoke a lot about mental aspect," Hirwani said.
With the competition getting tougher there were fewer opportunities coming his way. "The fear of failure often got the better of him. Now he has started enjoying his game. He has been around for a long time, has bowled in different conditions and he is experienced enough to understand the highs and lows of international cricket. He is a lot more patient with his approach; has worked out a lot on his shortcomings and the result is there for everyone to be seen. He bowled brilliantly in IPL against some world class batsmen, which has boosted his confidence," he said.
Haryana coach Ashwini Kumar feels Mishra's work ethics are the main reasons for his longevity. "He has been around for 12-13 years now. Unfortunately, he played in the same era when Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh played. Any other player would have got disheartened but not him. Mishra enters the field with the same enthusiasm. The fact that he plays most of his cricket in the North where spinner doesn't get much help did wonders for him. It has made him tougher. Even if he doesn't get many overs to bowl, his involvement remains the same. He is a true team man. Hope he continues from here," Kumar said.
Most wickets bagged by the sixth bowler in an ODI
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