Mishra makes his mark

People then asked him why Mishra’s six-wicket haul was overlooked on the ‘batting paradise’. This time Borde had nothing to say, recalls Heena Zuni Pandit.

It happened six years ago. In 2002, Amit Mishra was playing for Board President’s XI against Zimbabwe in Vijayawada. The leg-spinner picked up six wickets including a ‘magic ball’ — one that got visiting captain Alistair Campbell — which took the left-hander’s leg stump.

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Soon after, he was hailed as the next big thing in the Indian spin world. Incidentally, Gautam Gambhir also made an impact in that match, scoring 218.

But neither Mishra nor Gambhir was picked for India. The media asked Chandu Borde, the then selector, “Why Gambhir’s double century is not considered?”

Borde replied: “The pitch is a batting paradise and one can hit a century there.” People then asked him why Mishra’s six-wicket haul was overlooked on the ‘batting paradise’. This time Borde had nothing to say.

On Saturday, playing for India A in Chennai against New Zealand A he scalped six wickets and that take his first-class tally to 300 wickets in 77 matches.

Talking to HT form Chennai, Mishra said, “It took really long but I think its good in a way because I sharpened my skills, added some surprises in my arsenal and I am confident too. I wish to be in the XI,” said the bowler who has been named in the squad for the first two Tests against Australia.