By: BCCI
In the first Test at Mohali, Amit Mishra dismissed AB de Villiers twice. In the third Test at Nagpur, when the visitors were threatening to change the course of the game with a strong partnership between Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis for the fifth wicket, it was once again Amit Mishra who rose to the occasion. The leg-spinner removed both Amla and du Plessis to derail South Africa’s chase.
Earlier, in the same match, Mishra had trapped JP Duminy in front. While Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have purchased wickets in bulk, Amit Mishra has performed the role of the third spinner to perfection. In fact, Virat had later revealed that it was Mishra, who told him that he could end the Amla-Faf partnership.
“I told him I can get him a wicket. I knew with the variations I have, I could get a wicket,” Amit Mishra said. “It (Amla) was a crucial wicket. If we had not got that wicket, we could have either lost the match or it would have ended in a draw.”
Asked to rate his best wicket in the series, Amit Mishra said, “In the second innings in Mohali, when I bowled AB de Villiers, that was the best wicket I took. We had a small total to play with and they had wickets in hand. I think the wicket of Amla was my second-best.”
Mishra said picking important wickets has given him satisfaction. “Getting important wickets is more satisfying. When you bowl a short spell and get one or two important wickets and your team wins, it is more satisfying than bowling 20-25 overs.”
The Indian spinners have picked up 47 of the 50 South African wickets in the series so far. Amit Mishra credited the success of the spin trio to better understanding.
“We are all bowling well at the same time. We have a great combination going. We understand each other’s games and game plans. We are sharing our knowledge and our ideas. It is important to trust each other, to keep talking to each other and help each other in the process.”
He also thanked his captain for showing faith in his abilities and being supportive. “Virat is positive and keeps sharing his inputs. He keeps supporting you even if you are not bowling at your best. He is very positive in the dressing room too and makes sure there is positive energy all around.”
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