Seasoned leg spinner Amit Mishra announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Thursday, September 4. It marks the end of a career that lasted over 25 years. He mention recurring injuries and a wish to create space for younger players as reasons for stepping aside.
“These 25 years of my life in cricket have been nothing short of memorable,” Mishra said in a statement. “I am deeply grateful to the BCCI, the administration, Haryana Cricket Association, the support staff, my colleagues, and my family members who stood by me all this time.”
Amit Mishra’s Career Built on Craft and Consistency
Amit Mishra started his journey in Indian cricket in the early 2000s. He stood out with his classical, attacking leg spin, which featured generous flight, sharp leg breaks, and an effective googly. However, with Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh at their best during that time, Mishra had limited chances with the national side.
He made his ODI debut in 2003 during a triangular series in Bangladesh but wait five more years to earn his Test cap. His breakthrough came in 2008 when a injury to Kumble opened the door for his Test debut against Australia in Mohali. Mishra made an immediate impact by taking five wickets, becoming only the sixth Indian to achieve that feat on debut. He finished the series with 14 wickets from three matches, right as Kumble retired from international cricket.
IPL Success and Unique Records
The contributions of Amit Mishra to the IPL are among the most significant by any spinner in the tournament’s history. He is the only bowler to have taken three hat-tricks in the IPL, each for a different team. The teams are Delhi Daredevils in 2008, Deccan Chargers in 2011, and Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013. In 2015, Delhi Daredevils brought him back into the squad for INR 3.5 crore, highlighting his consistent value in the shortest format.
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