Indian spinners deserve more credit for their performance: Mishra

The Indian spinners were responsible for 47 out of 50 South African wickets in the ongoing Test series so far but leg-spinner Amit Mishra is a little disappointed

The Indian spinners were responsible for 47 out of 50 South African wickets in the ongoing Test series so far but leg-spinner Amit Mishra is a little disappointed that the debate on the nature of pitches has undermined the good performances produced by him and his fellow bowlers - Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

India's Ravindra Jadeja (L), Ravichandran Ashwin (C) and Amit Mishra wait their turn to bowl in the nets during a training session ahead of the third Test cricket match between India and South Africa at The Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on November 24, 2015. (AFP Photo)

Asked if they have got less credit than what they deserved, Mishra was frank with his reply.

“Yes, we have not been given due credit with so much talk about the pitch. Our achievements should have been highlighted more and talked about. Our home conditions have been like this for last 15 years and it is not from today. When we went to Sri Lanka, we got turning tracks there and bowled well,” the hurt was palpable in Mishra’s voice as he spoke to mediapersons.

“I thought if the spinners are bowling well, then at least praise them for doing well. It is not that spinners got wickets only because of these pitches. We also have done well outside the country,” 33-year-old Mishra said.

Mishra also felt that is the South African batsmen’s technique, rather lack of it, against spinning deliveries that did them in.

“Like we will get bounce outside sub-continent, it is a given that there will be more turn on offer when teams come to India. It is all about adaptability. They need to do their homework and improve their batting technique on pitches that offer turn. I believe they are under a lot of pressure because we have not given them boundary balls,” reasoned Mishra, who has seven wickets from two games compared to Jadeja’s 16 and Ashwin’s 24.

However Mishra is happy that he has skipper Virat Kohli’s backing even in testing times.

“He is very positive and always gives good tips about how to get a particular player out. The best part about his captaincy is that he supports irrespective of how you bowl. He supports me in the manner I want him to support,” Mishra was effusive in his praise.