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I was positive: Mishra

Special Correspondent

Mohali: He is now only the third Indian leg-spinner - V.V. Kumar and Narendra Hirwani being the others - to claim five or more wickets in the debut innings in Tests.

Amit Mishra is only 25 but has already comprehended much about cricket and life. The process, he says, has made him a better bowler.

Mishra played three matches for India during the triangular ODI series in Dhaka (2003). He picked up two wickets in three matches at an economy rate of 4.78 and did not figure in India’s plans until the on-going Test series.

“I learnt much about the game during the phase. I became a better bowler. I was confident I could make it back,” he said here on Sunday.

The leg-spinner was the spin spearhead for Haryana. Although the side was relegated to the Plate league, Mishra says the cricket played was combative.

He bowled capably against some big-hitters during the IPL and impressed in the ‘A’ Test against New Zealand in Chennai that preceded the on-going series.

No fear

“I had no fear. I was positive and my approach was to pick up wickets,” said Mishra on his Test debut. He added Mahendra Singh Dhoni (the stand-in skipper) encouraged him to bowl in his natural manner during the Australian innings.

He recalled Anil Kumble, the injured skipper, telling him during one of the breaks in play, “Bowl to your strengths. You are bowling extremely well.”

Revealed Mishra, “The first call I received congratulating me after I was picked in the Indian Test squad was from Kumble.”

Mishra said sending back Michael Clarke was his most satisfying dismissal. “He is a good player of spin and was batting well. I landed the delivery in the right place. It happened late in the day and was a big wicket for us.”

The leg-spinner spoke about the inputs he has received from former India leg-spinner and now a member of the selection panel Narendra Hirwani. “I have actually played with him. I speak to him more as a fellow leg-spinner than a selector. He has been very helpful towards me.”

Mishra also remembered the moments he spent with leg-spinning legend and his idol Shane Warne during the IPL. “We met and chatted on quite a few occasions. He has always been forthcoming with his views. He told me to remain an attacking bowler.”

Mishra still has unfinished business in the Test.

Aussie all-rounder Shane Watson has other ideas. “We believe we can still win the Test if we restrict the target to 400 or 450 since the pitch is not unplayable,” he said.

Watson acknowledged he was “uncomfortable” against Harbhajan Singh and said he countered the spinner by taking an off-stump guard.

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