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Did Politics End Amit Mishra’s Career? Will Gaikwad and Jagadeesan Face the Same Fate ? Let's Analyze..
New Delhi: Veteran Indian leg-spinner Amit Mishra has finally said goodbye to all forms of cricket. But while fans are celebrating his achievements, one uncomfortable question refuses to go away – did politics in Indian cricket cut his international career short?
Despite having the skills to be India’s match-winner,
Mishra’s opportunities were few and far between. Even after delivering
memorable spells – including a five-wicket haul on Test debut and three
hat-tricks in the IPL – he was rarely given an extended run in the national
team.
AMIT MISHRA’S NUMBERS VS HIS CHANCES
The statistics prove he wasn’t just a fringe player.
- 22
Tests – 76 wickets with best bowling 5/71
- 36
ODIs – 64 wickets at 23.60 with best bowling 6/48
- 162
IPL Match – 174 wickets with best bowling 5/17
- 10
T20I’s – 16 wickets with best bowling 3/24
·
As Batter in 22 TEST match 4 Fifties (
50’s ) with High Score 84
Yet, Amit Mishra’s appearances were scattered, with long
gaps between selections. Many believe he became a victim of favouritism,
rigid team combinations, and internal politics that favored other spinners,
even when his form demanded more recognition.
IPL HERO, BUT IGNORED NATIONALLY?
In the IPL, Amit Mishra was a different beast –
feared by batsmen, and still the only bowler with three hat-tricks in tournament
history. His consistency across franchises made him a T20 legend.
So why wasn’t he given a similar rope in international
cricket? Was it just the presence of legends like Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, or did
selectors simply not trust him enough? Many experts argue that Indian cricket
politics and a lack of backing from management cost him a longer career.
FAREWELL WORDS – BUT HIDDEN FRUSTRATION?
While retiring, Mishra remained diplomatic, thanking the BCCI,
Haryana Cricket Association, teammates, and fans. He said:
“Every moment of my 25 years in cricket is memorable. I am
grateful for all the love and support.”
But his mention of “injuries and giving youngsters a chance”
is being read by some as a polite way of accepting he was sidelined before
his time.
IS HISTORY REPEATING WITH GAIKWAD AND JAGADEESAN?
As Amit Mishra walks away, the spotlight shifts to
India’s next generation – Ruturaj Gaikwad and Narayan Jagadeesan. Both
delivered superb knocks in the Duleep Trophy semifinals:
- Gaikwad
– a stunning 184 off 206 balls to rescue West Zone.
- Jagadeesan
– a patient, unbeaten 148 to anchor South Zone’s innings.
Their performances prove they have the temperament for
longer formats. But the bigger question is – will they get consistent
chances in India’s senior team, or will they also fall prey to selection
politics?
With India’s bench strength overflowing with talent, players
often get dropped after one or two failures. If selectors don’t back them
properly, even rising stars like Gaikwad and Jagadeesan could end up facing the
same struggles that Mishra endured.
CRICKET VS POLITICS – THE ENDLESS DEBATE
The Indian cricket system is no stranger to allegations of
favoritism. Over the years, many talented players – from Amol Muzumdar to Karun
Nair – have seen careers stall despite strong domestic records.
Amit Mishra’s story only adds fuel to the debate. Was he
unlucky, or did internal politics really prevent him from becoming one of
India’s spin greats? And most importantly, will young players like Gaikwad and
Jagadeesan be given enough backing to avoid a similar fate?
FINAL WORD
Amit Mishra will always be remembered as an IPL
legend and an underutilized international spinner. His retirement closes
one chapter, but it also reopens a debate that Indian cricket cannot ignore: when
will politics stop overshadowing talent ?
As fans celebrate Ruturaj Gaikwad and N
Jagadeesan’s rise, the hope is that Indian cricket learns from past
mistakes and ensures that deserving players don’t fade away due to favoritism
or mismanagement.
