Leg-spinner Amit Mishra claims the debate on the state of pitches during the ongoing South Africa series has overshadowed the brilliant bowling performances of the Indian spinners.
The Indian spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Mishra have claimed 47 of the 50 wickets in the five Test innings of the series so far. Yet, Mishra feels the slow bowlers have not been appreciated enough for their efforts.
“We have not been given due credit with so much talk about the pitch,” he said ahead of the fourth Test beginning in Delhi tomorrow.
“Our achievements should have been highlighted more and talked about. Our home conditions have been like this for last 15 years and it is not from today. When we went to Sri Lanka, we got turning tracks there and bowled well.
– Radio Cricket: Meet TMS’ newest commentator
– Cricket Xtra: Clarke gets timing wrong with book
– FOLLOW: Live cricket scores around the world
“If the spinners are bowling well, at least praise them for doing well. It is not that spinners got wickets only because of these pitches. We also have done well outside the country,” he added.
The 33-year-old Mishra feels South African batsmen’s faulty technique on turning pitches has caused their downfall resulting in India gaining an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
“Like we get bouncy tracks outside sub-continent, it is a given that there will be more turn on offer when teams come to India. It is all about adaptability.
“They need to do their homework and improve their batting technique on pitches that offer turn. I believe they are under a lot of pressure because we have not given them boundary balls,” Mishra said on Tuesday.
Mishra believes the spin trio’s success has largely been due to the strong bond between them.
We’re down to the last match of the tour. The Proteas preparing to finish on a high in Delhi #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/aOVBErOcaI
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) December 1, 2015
“Not only are we bowling well, we are bowling well at the same time,” he said.
“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 for any team to win matches and series, for bowlers to trust each other, to keep talking to each other and helping each other,” he added.
Although Mishra’s seven wickets seem far fewer when compared to Ashwin (24) and Jadeja’s (16) tally, most of them have been big scalps.
He was dropped for the second Test but in the four innings he bowled in the series, Mishra has dismissed AB de Villiers twice (in Mohali), Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis and South African captain Hashim Amla (all in Nagpur).
