Published: Jul 23, 2015, 03:24 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 23, 2015, 05:37 PM (IST)
Yasir Shah wrecked havoc in Sri Lanka in the recent Test series. He picked up 24 wickets in from 3 Tests, reminding all and sundry of a certain Shane Warne from 2004. He was the standout bowler for Pakistan in the series. With Sri Lanka without their stalwart in Mahela Jayawardene, all pressure was on Kumar Sangakkara. In what was expected to be a duel between a veteran and a rookie, Yasir had the better of the master in whites, not letting him dominated proceedings the way he has done throughout his illustrious career. Nikhil Popat feels India’s decision to pick Amit Mishra is to emulate Yasir’s exploits in the island nation.
India announced their 15-man squad for their three-Test series in Sri Lanka starting August 12, 2015. The only change they had from the squad to Bangladesh was the inclusion of Amit Mishra in place of Karn Sharma. With due respect, Karn has seldom looked a threatening bowler in whites, and his debut Test at Adelaide Oval bore evidence to it. Indian selectors opted for the next best leg-spinner available; Amit Mishra. READ: BCCI announce India Test squad for upcoming Sri Lanka tour
There may be a word about why Yuzvendra Chahal was not picked, but he does not have numbers good enough to warrant a place in the side. Shreyas Gopal would have been an option but India have again gone back to a tried and tested method of backing experience over looking to get players groomed for a long term goal.
Mishra has been on the fringes for a long time before falling away to India’s preference to play finger-spinners. Mishra’s last Test came four years ago against England in 2011. He played a couple of matches on that tour and picked up a mere three wickets at 106.67. He has not been in the best of forms in Ranji Trophy 2014-15: from six matches he picked up ten wickets at 20.40. READ: India field expected side with no glaring weaknesses
While Mishra might not have done that well in the domestic matches, one can imagine the decision of picking Mishra was because of his experience and also him not getting a longer run in the team for some time. His role in the side will be that of what Yasir Shah did to Sri Lanka. Yasir had the better of the entire Sri Lankan batting line-up. WATCH: Amit Mishra’s dream debut against Australia in 2008
Mishra will be expected to emulate the heroics of the leg-spinner from Pakistan. Yasir did not bowl flat and was quite subtle in his variations. Mishra also possesses a good googly. Sri Lanka is in the process of rebuilding with young players, but with a couple of talented left-handed batsmen (including the legend himself) in the line-up means Mishra should look to do his homework well to take a cluster of wickets and stake a claim to be a permanent fixture in the team.
(Nikhil Popat is a cricket lover and a PotterHead. He can be followed on Twitter @CricCrazyNIKS)
