Amit Mishra picks his most memorable moment after announcing retirement

India’s veteran leg-spinner Amit Mishra has picked his Test debut against Australia in 2008 at Mohali as the most memorable moment of his career. Mishra returned with a five-wicket haul in the first innings (5-71) and also bagged two wickets in the second innings to play a key role in India’s gargantuan 320-run win in the second Test of the series.

Mishra, who announced his retirement from all forms of the game on Thursday, featured for India in 22 Tests, 36 ODIs and 10 T20Is and took 156 wickets in total. He made his international debut in 2003 against South Africa and played his last match in Indian colors in 2017 against England.

Mishra told IANS, “There are a lot of moments, but I would like to mention one special moment – my Test debut in Mohali. It was when Anil (Kumble) bhai was injured and was under a lot of pressure at that time, because entire media was saying if I could do what Anil bhai did for the Test side for so long.”

“But it was a special moment when Anil bhai told me in the morning that I would be playing in the match, and encouraged me to play professionally and perform well. Then I took eight (seven) wickets on debut, including a five-wicket haul, and that will always be the most important and memorable moment of my career.”

Meanwhile, the leg-spinner scalped 174 wickets in 162 IPL matches at an average of 23.82 and an economy rate of 7.38. Ergo, Mishra is regarded as one of the most successful spinners in IPL history. Furthermore, Mishra is the only bowler in IPL history to take three hat-tricks.

“Taking a hat trick in the IPL is not an easy task, so all three of them are very special to me. That record is still there and I am still in the top ten wicket takers list in the IPL gives me a lot of happiness, despite not playing much in last two years due to my injuries.”

“Hat tricks don’t happen often in a career, so all of them I took for three different IPL teams are extremely special to me. But I would definitely say that my first hat-trick in the IPL proved to be very advantageous as it opened my doors to be back in Indian team,” Mishra said.

Mishra said IPL performances should be appreciated as the best players in the world are playing in the league.

“I believe your performance there cannot be suppressed. It’s the biggest league in India and all the best players in the world come to play in it. So, if you perform there, it comes out in full view and people do appreciate it deeply.”

“For example, if you dismiss someone like Chris Gayle, Virender Sehwag, Sachin (Tendulkar) paaji or AB de Villiers in IPL, the biggest thing is people remember it and acknowledge that you performed well. Normally what happens is, a bowler takes four-five wickets and it’s soon forgotten.”