Former India leg-spinner Amit Mishra has spoken about a difficult period in his international career. He claimed that Virat Kohli assured him of an India comeback after an injury but stopped responding when Mishra later asked about his chances.

Mishra shared his experience on former India opener Aakash Chopra’s Baith & Bol podcast. He explained how his hopes of returning to the national team slowly faded. His comments have also raised a common question in Indian cricket: How much does a captain’s preference affect a player’s future?

Mishra last played for India in February 2017. He suffered a leg injury during a T20I against England in Bengaluru. The spinner said that both then-head coach Anil Kumble and Kohli assured him that he could return once he regained full fitness. However, Mishra claimed that Kohli did not respond when he later tried to understand his position in the team.

Amit Mishra Claims Virat Kohli Assured Him of an India Comeback

Mishra recalled speaking to Kumble after his injury. The former India coach reportedly told him not to worry and said he could return once he regained full fitness. Mishra later had a similar conversation with Kohli, who was India’s captain at the time.

“I also spoke to Virat Kohli. I asked him, ‘Brother, what should I do?’ He said, ‘Don’t worry. Get fully fit, take your time, and you’re there [in the team],’” Mishra recalled on the podcast.

Kohli’s assurance gave Mishra hope of returning to the team. He worked on his fitness and continued playing domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL). He believed that good performances could help him earn another chance to represent India.

Mishra said he later spoke to Kohli during an IPL match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He asked Kohli about his chances of returning to the Indian team. According to Mishra, Kohli said he would give him an update within seven to 10 days.

However, Mishra claimed that the update never came.

“One week passed, two weeks passed, three weeks passed, but there was absolutely no update from him,” he said.

Mishra tried calling and messaging Kohli several times but received no reply. He eventually stopped contacting him and began to feel that his chances of returning to India had ended.

These are Mishra’s recollections of his conversations with Kohli. They do not explain why Kohli did not respond or prove that he deliberately stopped Mishra from returning to the team. However, the incident shows how difficult it can be for a player to understand his future after an injury.

Yuvraj Singh’s 2019 World Cup Example Shows the Other Side

Mishra’s claims also raise a bigger question about a captain’s role in team selection. A captain may support a player, but that does not guarantee the player a place in the team for the long term.

Yuvraj Singh shared a similar experience when he spoke about missing India’s 2019 ODI World Cup squad. After returning to international cricket in 2017, Yuvraj spoke about the support he received from Kohli. However, he later explained that MS Dhoni gave him a clear idea about his chances of playing in the 2019 World Cup.

“When I made my comeback, Virat Kohli supported me. Had he not backed me then I wouldn’t have made a comeback. But then it was Dhoni who showed me the correct picture about the 2019 World Cup that selectors are not looking at you,” Yuvraj told News18, reported by India Today.

Yuvraj also accepted that a captain cannot make every player happy with selection decisions. He said Dhoni had done what he could and helped him understand the situation instead of leaving him guessing about his future.

Kohli was India’s captain during the 2017 Champions Trophy, when Yuvraj played for the team. Dhoni spoke to Yuvraj about his World Cup chances later.

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A Captain’s Preference Matters, but Selection Is Not a One-Man Decision

A captain’s support can make a difference, especially when a player is returning from injury, struggling for form, or competing with others for a place in the team. The captain’s trust may help a player get opportunities. However, national team selection also depends on the selectors, coach, team balance, playing conditions and the needs of a particular format.

Indian teams have followed different plans under different captains. A player who fits one captain’s plans may find it harder to get opportunities under another. However, this does not automatically mean that the captain has treated the player unfairly. Clear communication can still help players understand their position.

Yuvraj’s comments show this difference. He did not blame Dhoni for leaving him out of the World Cup squad. Instead, he said Dhoni helped him understand the situation. He also accepted that a captain cannot give every player the opportunity they want.

Mishra’s frustration appears to involve more than just missing out on selection. He also wanted an explanation about his future. He believed that his fitness work and performances in domestic cricket and the IPL could help him return to the Indian team. According to him, the lack of a response left him unsure about what he needed to do next.

Amit Mishra Also Questioned Virat Kohli During the 2023 IPL Clash

Mishra’s recent comments have also brought attention to his earlier remarks about Kohli during a controversy in the 2023 IPL. The incident involved Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Lucknow Super Giants, and Naveen-ul-Haq.

Mishra was playing for Lucknow when Kohli argued with Naveen during a match. Gautam Gambhir, who was Lucknow’s mentor at the time, later confronted Kohli. The incident became one of the biggest talking points of that IPL season.

In a later interview, Mishra said he tried to step in while batting with Naveen. He recalled telling Kohli that the Afghanistan pacer was younger and that Kohli, as the more experienced player, should show restraint.

“Even if he misbehaved, you are the bigger player,” Mishra said while recalling what he told Kohli in one of the earlier interviews.

He also questioned why an established player would continue arguing with a younger opponent.

Mishra’s comments focused on the responsibility that comes with being a senior player. He believed that an experienced star should handle such situations carefully, especially when dealing with younger cricketers.

This incident was different from the issue of team selection. However, it provides more context for Mishra’s public comments about Kohli.

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The Bigger Question Behind Mishra’s Claims

Mishra’s story is about more than missing out on another chance to play for India. It also highlights the uncertainty players can face after an injury and the importance of knowing where they stand.

Mishra has shared his side of the story, but the reason behind Kohli’s alleged lack of response remains unclear. Yuvraj’s experience offers a different example. A captain’s support can help a player return to the team, while an honest conversation can help a player understand when the team’s plans no longer include him.

Not every player can avoid missing out on selection. However, clear communication can help players understand difficult decisions instead of spending months wondering what went wrong.

What are your thoughts on Amit Mishra’s comments on Virat kohli’s promise? Let us know in the comments.

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