Amit Mishra

IND
IND
Bowler
Bowler
Amit Mishra

Player Bio

Amit Mishra is a highly respected Indian cricketer, born on 24 November 1982. He is a right-arm leg-break bowler and a right-handed tail-ender batsman, who has played for Haryana in the domestic Ranji Trophy. Mishra is currently playing for the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has represented India in Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 matches. A vital member of the Indian team that won the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, he made his Test debut against Australia in the Second Test at Mohali in 2008.

Early Life and Background

Amit Mishra was born into an average middle-class family in Delhi's Ashok Vihar area. However, his modest background did not deter him from pursuing his passion for cricket from an early age. Initially discovered by his school coach, who recognized his raw talent and potential, young Amit started training seriously at an academy run by former Delhi cricketer Sanjay Bharadwaj.

Mishra had to work hard to convince his parents of his dream of becoming a professional cricketer since they would have preferred him to pursue higher education instead of sports. Undeterred, he spent long hours practising with dedication and eventually caught the attention of selectors after excelling at inter-school cricket competitions.

Rise to Prominence

After initially representing Haryana's Under-16 team, Mishra quickly rose to play for Haryana in domestic cricket tournaments like Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy before making it onto the national team.

Mishra made headlines during India's tour of New Zealand when he became India's leading wicket-taker with three wickets during India's win over New Zealand XI in their warm-up match ahead of the Test series. A few months later, he made his Test debut against Australia at Mohali in October 2008. Mishra had an impressive performance in his first test where he took five wickets in Australia's first innings, becoming the leading wicket-taker in the match and playing a significant role in India's victory.

Mishra became India's first-choice Test leg-spinner after Anil Kumble's retirement. Though he was dropped briefly when Harbhajan Singh returned from injury, he retained his place after Kumble got injured again. He continued to be a vital member of the Indian team for several years, representing India in various tournaments like ICC Champions Trophy and IPL.

Cricketing Career

Mishra boasts an impressive cricketing career with standout performances across all formats of cricket. In T20 cricket, he has been a regular feature for various franchises over the years and has played for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and currently Lucknow Super Giants.

In Tests, Mishra has taken 76 wickets across 22 matches at an average of 35.72 with three five-wicket hauls to his name. He has also scored two half-centuries as a lower-order batsman.

In ODIs, he has taken 64 wickets across 36 matches at an average of 23.60 with one four-wicket haul to his name along with scoring two half-centuries as a batsman.

Mishra is known for his attacking leg-spin bowling style that often bamboozles even the best batsmen in the world. His googlies are especially difficult to read and have earned him many crucial wickets throughout his career.

Despite being a brilliant bowler, some critics feel that Mishra could work on improving his fielding skills since he has struggled on occasion while fielding. However, his strengths as a bowler outweigh any weaknesses and have made him a valuable player for India.

One of Mishra's most notable performances came during India's tour of Zimbabwe in July 2013, where he received the Man of the Match award for his bowling performance picking up 18 wickets at 11.61 in five ODIs against Zimbabwe. In doing so, he equaled Javagal Srinath's world record for the most wickets in a bilateral ODI series.

Major Tournaments and Series

Amit Mishra has had a successful career representing India in major tournaments and series. He was a part of India's squad that won the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, playing a crucial role in India's defence of their title.

Mishra has also been impressive in the World T20 tournaments, where he has taken 16 wickets in 10 matches. He was selected in the 2nd XI of the 2014 ICC World T20 Cup by Cricinfo due to his excellent performances. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he has taken 173 wickets, making him one of the most successful bowlers in IPL history.

Playing Role and Skills

Amit Mishra is a right-arm leg-break bowler and a right-handed tail-ender batsman who plays for Haryana in domestic cricket. His primary role is as a bowler and has been known for his deceptive googly and top-spinner deliveries.

Mishra's greatest strength lies within his bowling technique as he can bamboozle even some of the best batsmen with his spin variations. He is known to have excellent control over his deliveries, making him an ideal option to contain runs while also picking wickets during crucial times.

Personality and Off-the-Field Persona

Off the field, Amit Mishra is known to be a calm and composed individual who always seems to have a smile on his face. His teammates have praised him for his friendly nature that helps create a positive atmosphere within the dressing room.

Legacy and Impact

As a leg-spinner, he has carved out a niche for himself in the world of cricket as one of the finest bowlers in the game. His unerring accuracy, subtle variations, and sharp turn make him a challenging prospect for even the most accomplished batsmen.

Mishra's impact can be seen in the way young spinners have emulated his style of bowling. The leg-spinner has always played an essential role in Indian cricket, but Mishra's success has inspired many to take up the challenge and become successful bowlers themselves.

Apart from his influence on budding spinners, Mishra's impressive records have made him a legend in Indian cricket history. His name will be remembered as one of India's finest leg-spinners.

Recognition and Awards

Amit Mishra has received several awards throughout his career for his outstanding performances. He was named Man of the Match twice and Man of the Series once in Test matches. In ODIs, he was named Man of the Match five times and Player of the Series once.

Mishra also holds several records to his name, including taking three hat-tricks in IPL history – playing for Delhi Daredevils, Deccan Chargers, and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively. In recognition of his tremendous talent, he was named in Cricinfo's Test XI team for 2015-16 and was included again in their Test XI team for 2016-17.

Over the years, Mishra has shown that he is not just a talented player but also an excellent role model for young cricketers. His dedication, discipline, and love for the game are evident in every performance.

As Mishra continues to play cricket at the highest level, his legacy will only grow stronger with time. He has left an indelible mark on Indian cricket history, and his contribution to the sport will be remembered for generations to come.

FAQs
What is Amit Mishra's bowling average in the Test cricket format?
Amit Mishra's bowling average in the Test cricket format is 35.72.
How many wickets has Amit Mishra has taken in ODI cricket?
Amit Mishra has taken 64 wickets in ODI cricket.
What is Amit Mishra's highest score in the Test cricket format?
Amit Mishra's highest score in the Test cricket format is 84.
How many runs has Amit Mishra scored in List A cricket?
Amit Mishra has scored 910 runs in List A cricket.
Has Amit Mishra ever taken a five-wicket haul in test matches?
Yes, Amit Mishra took a five-wicket haul against Australia on his test debut in 2008.