I Am Not Someone Who Will Keep Playing Just For IPL: Amit Mishra Hopeful To Play Again For India
Aug 7, 2020 at 2:12 PM
Indian spinner Amit Mishra last played for the national team back in January 2017 against England in a T20I. He has not been picked up since and continues to give formidable performances in the IPL and domestic cricket simultaneously. The 37-year-old is IPL’s second all-time leading wicket-taker, holding the record for the most hat-tricks in the history of the tournament.
Amit Mishra has been out of the team for three years now and has had retirement plans cross his mind, but his hope for a comeback is still strong.
Team India’s first-choice spin duo: is Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, and not to forget even Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have lost their places to the duo, Amit Mishra’s comeback hopes are too slim, to say the least.
‘Yes, I Am Still Hopeful Of Making A Comeback’ Says Amit Mishra
Amit Mishra still thinks there is a chance for his comeback in the team. He has lost his agility with age but continues to work hard for his fitness. He takes rejections with a brave heart and as motivation.
“Of course, I do! That is why I am still playing. I am not someone who will keep playing just for IPL. My fight is with myself. I should always be ready and prepared when a call from the Indian team comes. That is the belief I always have. Yes, I am still hopeful of making a comeback,” Mishra told cricket.com.
“I have always tried to reflect on who is going to get the benefit if I continue to be demotivated? It will benefit my competitors. After every rejection, I have tried to work even harder on my skills,” he added.
Age Should Not Be A Criterion To Judge Your Performance; Amit Mishra
The 37-year-old leg spinner feels age should not be criteria of judgement for your performances. He thinks emphasis should be given to fitness rather than age. Amit Mishra tries to stay away from the negativity around as he feels it doesn’t do any good. He believes in self-motivation.
“Age should not be a criterion to judge your performance. One should always see whether a player is fit or not. I think players like Yuvraj Singh or Harbhajan Singh or Virender Sehwag should have been spoken to on what they were thinking about their future,” he said.
“You don’t doubt their ability or passion. They also work hard. But I think if they are lacking in anything say fitness, then they must be told what is required or what is expected of them. If properly communicated, the players will not feel bad.”
Amit Mishra bowls with a lovely loop and sharp leg-breaking accuracy. He will feature for the Delhi Capitals side in the IPL 2020 which is set to begin on September 19.
Mishra would like to make an impact for his side in the IPL which would certainly increase his chances of earning a call-up from the Indian team. The IPL will be played in the UAE this year after it was postponed due to the pandemic.