Former Indian leg spinner Amit Mishra strongly denied the long-standing rumours MS Dhoni hindered his international career. In a candid interview, Mishra highlighted Dhoni’s pivotal role in his breakthroughs and comebacks, crediting the former skipper for his continued support amid fierce competition from the spinners. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. The veteran, who played 22 Tests, 36 ODIs and 10 T20Is between 2008 and 2017, highlighted that his entry into the team came under Dhoni’s leadership.
Amit Mishra clarifies the misconceptions associated with MS Dhoni
Mishra called it short-sighted, directly addressing the narrative that his career could have flourished more without Dhoni. “People say my career would have been better without Dhoni. But who knows – if it wasn’t for him, maybe I wouldn’t even be on the teamHe said during the MensXP interview that he highlighted his multiple comebacks during the Dhoni era. He described Dhoni as a supportive figure who appreciated his skills, allowing comebacks despite the depth of India’s spin department during that golden era.
This perspective views Mishra’s occasional playing time as a product of team balance rather than a favour. Dhoni’s credibility ensured Mishra’s opportunities, even as the preference in white-ball cricket shifted towards left-arm options. Mishra’s words, delivered amid ongoing cricket nostalgia, humanize the pressures faced by outfielders in a star-studded squad.
Important guidance for Mishra in Dhoni’s final ODI spell
Mishra vividly recalled Dhoni’s on-field mentorship during his struggles against the recent ODI series New Zealand A decisive fifth match at Visakhapatnam in October 2016. India posted 269 and chasing New Zealand, Mishra initially focused on bowling defensively after entering the ninth over. Dhoni intervened after two overs, urging him to return to his natural aggression: “You don’t naturally bowl what you do. Don’t overthink and pack what you always do.“
The advice led to Mishra’s career-best ODI on 5/18, bowling New Zealand out for 79 in 23.1 overs to seal a 190-run victory and a 3-2 series win. “It was a game-changing spell… His thinking was that if I didn’t pick the wickets, we would lose,” Mishra reflected and praised Dhoni’s tactical clarity.After the match, Dhoni praised Mishra’s efforts, noting that his 15 wickets throughout the series earned him the Player of the Series award.
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