Veteran spinner Amit Mishra has leveled serious accusations against former Indian captain Virat Kohli, claiming that Kohli never provided clarity regarding his non-selection for the national team. Despite multiple inquiries, Mishra stated that he was left without a definitive answer.
During a discussion on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube show “Unplugged,” the seasoned bowler, one of the top wicket-takers in IPL history, shared his experiences while playing under Kohli. Mishra contrasted this with his time under MS Dhoni, who he noted was always straightforward about team selections.
Lack of Transparency
Mishra asserted that being skilled is not the sole requirement for maintaining a place in the squad; being favored by the captain also plays a crucial role. He recounted his relationship with Dhoni, who openly told him when he was left out. “I had a great rapport with MS Dhoni. I asked him twice why I wasn’t picked, and he explained that I didn’t fit the combination,” Mishra stated.
He added that although he was told he was being rested, he never requested a break, particularly as he had yet to play ten Test matches. “I wasn’t in a position to question Dhoni. I asked the coach, who advised me to approach Dhoni, but I felt hesitant to do so,” he explained.
Injury Woes
Mishra also reflected on the toughest moment of his career when he was sidelined due to a knee injury. He pointed out a discrepancy in selection policies, noting that injured players typically return automatically, citing examples like Wriddhiman Saha and Hardik Pandya who were selected after injuries. However, he felt this was not the case for him.
“The worst feeling came five years ago when I got injured during a match. I was named Man of the Series and Man of the Match against New Zealand before the injury. The usual practice was that if you get hurt while playing, you automatically return to the team, but that didn’t happen for me,” Mishra said.
Confrontation with Kohli
Mishra recounted a specific incident during an IPL match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he confronted Kohli about his position in the team. Kohli had promised to inquire with the management on his behalf, but Mishra claimed he never received a follow-up.
“During our last IPL match against RCB, I asked him for clarity on my future. He said, ‘Mishy bhai, I’ll ask and let you know.’ He had previously supported my return during a series against Sri Lanka in 2016. After I got injured, I sought his guidance again but never got a clear response. I texted him, he read it, and said, ‘I’ll let you know,’ but that was the last I heard,” Mishra revealed.
