It's a good opportunity to make a comeback: Amit Mishra

13th May 2008

Amit Mishra, the Haryana leg spinner, who was dropped from the Indian one-day team after just three ODI appearances in 2003, describes the IPL as a very good opportunity for him to comeback into the reckoning for a place in the national team.

Playing for the Delhi Daredevils in the inaugural edition of the multi-million dollar Twenty20 tournament, the 25-year old leg spinner says is full of praise for the BCCI, for taking the initiative to introduce a tournament like the IPL, as it offers a platform for players like him to don the national colours again.

He also mentions that playing with the big names in international cricket has helped him learn many things, and further says he has cherished the time he has spent in the Daredevils dressing room. "They (experienced players) share plenty of things with us. Each one of them is very helpful," he said.

Bowling in the 20-over format is a high-pressure job for bowlers, especially spinners, since the pitches are flat and the boundaries are shortened. The Delhi-born too shares that thought, but feels the pressure to deliver and succeed has always been there, irrespective of whether it is international cricket, the Ranji Trophy or any other tournament. But Amit takes everything as a challenge and always looks to put his best foot forward.

The last of Mishra's three ODI appearances came in the TVS Cup in 2003. Mishra managed only two wickets from three matches and he was duly dispatched to the wilderness. His recent performances on the domestic circuit though have been impressive; he captured more than 50 victims in the last season.

Amit is silently confident that his impressive form will help him catch the selector's eye. He said, "I picked more that 50 wickets in the last season. I am very very positive that if I do well in the IPL, the selectors might consider me again (for selection)."

The right-hander has also been working very hard on improving his batting and has been among the runs in the past few seasons. He thinks a player needs to excel in at least two departments of the game, if not all three, to survive in the modern day game, and hence this conscious decision to work on his batting and fielding skills.

Amit cited, "Every team needs an all-rounder who can bat, bowl and also field. I have been improving on my fielding aspect too. My batting has been good and I have scored 350-plus runs each season in the last two seasons."