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Towards the end of 2008, then chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth was emphatic in his belief that Amit Mishra would be the next Anil Kumble for India in Test cricket. Kumble, battling a recurring finger injury and fading consistency, had just stepped aside, and Mishra was seen as the natural heir to India’s long legacy of match-winning leg-spin. In fact, his early performances suggested that he was ready to shoulder that responsibility.
But as Indian cricket moved into the MS Dhoni’s Test era (2008–2014), Mishra’s career trajectory became a tale of stop-start opportunities. Despite showing promise, he never got an extended run. Dhoni often looked for wrist-spinners who could bowl quicker through the air, which didn’t suit Mishra’s natural style. His tendency to give the ball more flight and depend on deception rather than speed was seen as a risk in Dhoni’s plans, especially in conditions that didn’t offer much turn. Ironically, even bowlers like Karn Sharma found their way into the side ahead of Mishra, upholding the lack of trust in him.
When Virat Kohli took over as Test captain, many believed it could open a new chapter for Mishra. Kohli’s reputation for backing aggressive cricketers and his faith in attacking spinners created fresh hope. However, Mishra’s fortunes hardly changed. Despite sporadic success — including memorable spells in limited-overs cricket — he was never able to cement his place in the Test setup.
In hindsight, Mishra’s story reflects both the ruthlessness of Indian team selections during the transition from Kumble to the next generation, and the harsh reality that talent alone doesn’t guarantee longevity without the captain’s conviction. For a bowler once hailed as “the next Kumble,” Mishra’s Test career ultimately remained unfulfilled — a reminder of how timing, perception, and team strategies can often shape a player’s destiny as much as their skill.
In between his frustrating run with the national side, Amit Mishra found a second home in the IPL. The leg-spinner became one of the league’s most bankable bowlers, scripting history by claiming multiple hat-tricks — a record that underlined his match-winning abilities in the shortest format. For Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), and later for other franchises, Mishra was a consistent performer, often turning games single-handedly with his guile and variations.
Yet, even as he thrived in the IPL, the door to the Indian team was gradually closing. Each passing season pushed his comeback chances further away, as new spinners emerged and selectors looked to invest in younger options. Mishra continued to ply his trade diligently in domestic cricket, but despite his experience and wickets, he was no longer seen as a serious contender for an international return.
After years of battling on, Mishra has finally decided to call time on his journey in Indian cricket. On Thursday, the leg-spinner announced that he would be retiring from professional cricket in India, bringing an end to a career that was as much about missed opportunities as it was about moments of brilliance.
For Indian fans, Mishra will be remembered as a bowler who often lit up the IPL stage, carried the legacy of wrist-spin with dignity, and showed flashes of what might have been had fortune and management backed him differently at the highest level.
Amit Mishra Career Snapshot
• Tests: 22 matches, 76 wickets, best bowling 5/71
• ODIs: 36 matches, 64 wickets, best 6/48
• T20Is: 10 matches, 16 wickets, economy 6.70
• IPL: 161 matches, 173 wickets, best 5/17; only bowler with 3 hat-tricks
