How old is old !! is it still luck now for Amit at Lucknow !!
Today in the X match of IPL 2023, the first ball of over 16 was watched intense with some anxiety .. .. nothing much happened as Washington Sundar pushed it towards cover point !!
Off the last ball of 7th over, Aiden markram was bowled for a duck. Krunal Pandya first took the wicket of Mayank Agarwal, then off 7.5 he had Anmolpreet Singh leg before. The first ball faced by Captain Markram, had been fired fuller than good length. Aiden misread it totally having no clues, going for a drive and ball hitting the outer half of off stump. SRH in dire trouble ! from which they neer recovered. The next ball – the hatrick ball aspirant came much later in over no. 16.
Today it was a similar story of spinners totally dominating – Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi and the good oldie at 40 years and a good 130 days + old leggie.
Remember he played in early 2000s – a classical attacking leg spinner, with big flight and a big turning leg-break, coupled with a good googly. He burst at the scene when Anil KUmble and Harbhajan Singh were in their peak allowing no space !!
When he burst onto the scene in the early 2000s, Amit Mishra impressed with his classical, attacking legspin, relying mostly on flight and a big legbreak, while surprising batsmen with the odd googly. However, with two giant spinners - Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh - at the peak of their powers, there wasn't a place available for him in India's squad.
He made his International debut at Dhaka in Apr 13, 2003 (almost 20 years ago !) in an ODI against South Africa which India won by 153 runs. Neil McKenzie was his first victim. He made Test debut 5 years later at Mohali against Australia alongwith Peter Siddle and had a successful match – a 5 wicket haul in first and over all 7 in that Test.
Amit Mishra ended with 76 / 64 / 16 (Test ODI T20I) wickets – today the 40 year old leggie bowled so well bemusing batsmen and taking 2 wickets.
Nothing new for in IPL he is a star performer - one of the best spinners, and the only bowler to pick up three hat-tricks, coming for three different teams - Delhi Daredevils (2008), Deccan Chargers (2011) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (2013).
Perhaps the concept of Impact player that allows an extra-player has extended his lease ! – may be has more tricks in his sleeves.
With regards – S. Sampathkumar7.4.2023
