Veteran Indian leg-spinner Amit Mishra has recently opened up about his unceremonious exit from the national team, claiming that former captain Virat Kohli ignored his phone calls and messages after initially assuring him a comeback following an injury in 2017. Speaking on a popular podcast hosted by former cricketer Amla Chopra, Mishra detailed how his international career hit a roadblock despite assurances from the team management.
According to Mishra, the turning point in his career came during a T20I match against England in Bengaluru in 2017, where he sustained a serious injury. At the time, legendary spinner and then-head coach Anil Kumble reassured him not to worry, promising that he would walk right back into the squad once he attained full fitness.
Similarly, Mishra recalled receiving positive signals from the newly appointed captain Virat Kohli. When Mishra asked about his future roadmap, Kohli allegedly told him to focus entirely on his rehabilitation, regain complete fitness, and feel comfortable before returning to international duties. Trusting these words, Mishra worked rigorously on his recovery and prepared himself for a national comeback.
However, things took a frustrating turn once he was fit and ready to play. When Mishra approached Kohli to discuss his position and future involvement with the squad, the captain reportedly asked for a week to ten days to get back to him. Unfortunately, that response never came. Mishra claimed that despite persistent attempts to reach out through phone calls and text messages, Kohli neither answered nor acknowledged his communications, effectively freezing him out of the setup.
Mishra was a formidable weapon for India in white-ball cricket for nearly a decade and enjoyed a stellar, long-standing career in the Indian Premier League. While modern cricket management often emphasizes communication, revelations of this nature highlight the complex interpersonal dynamics and communication gaps that can sometimes mar the final chapters of a seasoned international athlete's career.
