‘Being liked matters a lot in team selection,’: Amit Mishra talks about his contrasting experience with Dhoni and Kohli

Indian spinner Amit Mishra has freely spoken about his experiences with various Indian captains during his short career in a recent interview with Shubhankar Mishra’s Unplugged series which was aired on YouTube. “Being liked matters a lot in team selection. Just playing good cricket isn't enough. The captain always decides the Playing XI. I had an excellent rapport with MS Dhoni. I asked him twice why I wasn't getting picked, he told me that I don't fit the combination,” Mishra said. Mishra however expressed disappointment with how his interaction with Indian batsman Virat Kohli transpired. 

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Amit Mishra was declared Man of the Series in the 5-match ODI series against New Zealand in 2016. He however picked up an injury thereafter and hasn’t appeared in any Test Match and ODI since 2017. He highlighted that he asked Kohli about his career prospects after RCB’s encounter against DC on May 14th 2017. “During the IPL, our last match was against RCB. I asked Kohli to give a clear picture about my career. He said 'Mishy bhai, I'll ask and let you know'. Virat Kohli helped me in my comeback series against Sri Lanka – 2016. I was doing well and India needed a leg-spinner who could bowl in Sri Lanka. When I came back, he said, 'from today, you will train for fitness with me'. I told him I can't lift weights like you but I can run and whatever else you want. I got injured so I asked him again, but I never got a clear answer. I messaged him. He read the text and said 'I'll let you know' but never did,” Mishra added.