Sport - Cricket

Mishra — a delight for the ’keeper

— Photo: S. Subramanium

REWARD FOR HARD WORK: Amit Mishra is a wonderful wrist spinner any captain would love to have.

NEW DELHI: The spin and length that he commands can be a delight for the wicketkeeper and the slip fielders. They have to be ever-alert though.

He was only 10 when he walked up to Sanjay Bhardwaj at the Playmakers Academy. “I can bat,” he announced but the canny Bhardwaj spotted a leg-spinner in the lad. For two years, the young trainee did not get to bat at all. Sixteen years down the line, Bhardwaj can take pride in his impeccable judgment.

The five-wicket haul on Test debut by the Haryana leg-spinner signals a bright future for Mishra, who learnt the tricks in Delhi, but played all his cricket for Haryana. He was neglected by Delhi but embraced by the Haryana Cricket Association Secretary R.S. Mahendra, who lost no time in acceding to Bhardwaj’s request.

Mishra’s rise was rapid and consistent. “He participated in the District under-19 tournament, created havoc with the opposition and never looked back. He destroyed Delhi for 85 in his first under-19 match and ended up with 32 wickets in his first season. I knew he would go far in his trade and I am so happy he has five wickets on Test debut,” said Bhardwaj, who, incidentally, did not watch Mishra bowl in the ongoing Test at Mohali.

Away on a pilgrimage to Rampur, the genial Bhardwaj was all praise for his pupil. “He is sincere, disciplined, hard-working, ever willing to learn and he just wants to bowl and bowl in the nets. A wonderful wrist spinner any captain would love to have.

“It took five good years for Mishra to make people who matter realise his potential after having played three ODIs in April, 2003. He was lost to Indian cricket since despite shining at the domestic level.

It was to Mishra’s advantage that he had Narendra Hirwani as one of the National selectors. Hirwani pushed for his selection all the way. A bowler quite similar in the mould of Hirwani, he has grabbed the opportunity with élan, sticking to a flighted trajectory.

Standing close to the ‘nets’, you can hear the buzzing sound as he imparts vicious spin on the ball. “He is the classic spinner, the kind you saw 30-40 years ago. He has a large heart, is not scared of being hit. He purchases his wicket and is never demoralised. Hit him for three successive fours and yet he will not compromise on his spin and flight,” assures Bhardwaj.

According to Bhardwaj, his student is very mature and versatile. “I am not saying he is like Ajantha Mendis but Amit also has tremendous variety. He can produce five different balls in an over because of his self-confidence.”

Mishra, 26, is a down-to-earth cricketer. He would throw a solicitous glance at the batsman after snaring him and at times even acknowledge a good shot. He competes but respects the opponent.

“His work culture is his strongest point,” asserts Bhardwaj, who, however, has a word of caution for Mishra. “Now that he has made such a splendid debut, the expectations will grow every time he bowls. That will be his sternest test.”

Now, Bhardwaj allows Mishra a knock at the nets. “I tell him to bat as much as he wants to but not at the cost of a two-hour stint of leg-spin.”

Interestingly, Bhardwaj had converted an ambitious leg-spinner into a batsman many years ago. He goes by the name of Gautam Gambhir.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu