Former Indian leg-spinner Amit Mishra has offered a reflective and positive take on the long-debated topic concerning his professional relationship with the legendary captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Instead of harbouring any bitterness, Mishra chooses to focus on the support he received, crediting Dhoni for his very entry and repeated comebacks into the national side.
A Positive Perspective on Selection
Addressing the common narrative that his career might have flourished more without Dhoni at the helm, Mishra presented a counter-view. He pointed out that his India journey began under Dhoni's captaincy. The spinner emphasized that his repeated recalls to the team were a sign of the captain's faith in his abilities. "I came into the team under him only," Mishra stated, adding that Dhoni's agreement as skipper was pivotal for his comebacks.
Mishra firmly dismissed feelings of being sidelined, asserting that he always felt backed. He recalled that whenever he was part of the playing eleven, Dhoni consistently engaged with him, offering tips and guidance. This constant communication, according to Mishra, was a clear indicator of the support system he enjoyed.
The Pivotal New Zealand Match and Dhoni's Decisive Advice
One specific incident from his final ODI series against New Zealand remains etched in Mishra's memory. In a tight game where India had posted a score of 260-270 runs, Mishra adopted a cautious approach, aiming to contain the run flow rather than attack for wickets.
This defensive mindset, however, was quickly corrected by his captain. After a couple of overs, Dhoni approached him with straightforward feedback. Dhoni told him he was not bowling his natural game and advised him to stop overthinking. The instruction was simple yet powerful: "This is your bowling. Bowl exactly this. Don't think a lot."
The result was instantaneous and spectacular. Switching back to his attacking style, Mishra claimed a wicket immediately and went on to deliver a match-winning spell. He finished with a five-wicket haul, which he considers his best bowling performance in ODIs. Mishra understood later that Dhoni's clarity stemmed from a critical reading of the match situation, where taking wickets was the only path to victory.
Career Numbers and a Grateful Conclusion
Throughout an international career marked by intermittent selection, Mishra made significant contributions. He played 22 Test matches, taking 76 wickets. In the 50-over format, he represented India in 36 ODIs, securing 64 wickets, which included a memorable six-wicket performance. He also added 16 wickets from 10 T20 Internationals.
Looking back at his entire tenure, Mishra expresses no regret. He reiterates his foundational belief that Dhoni's presence was a catalyst for his opportunities. "If Dhoni was not there, maybe I would not even have been in the team," he concluded, choosing to view their association through a lens of gratitude and positivity, rather than any hypothetical what-ifs.
