“Anil bhai helps me a lot. He doesn’t talk a lot about technique, it is mentally that he helps a great deal. For example, I was not selected in the eleven for the Test matches but still he was there to help me. Besides, we discuss where to bowl, at what pace to bowl, the field placement against the batsmen. It is a lot of learning.”
“Even though he (Kumle) is a bowler, he is always giving tips to batsmen especially the tailenders who can play a crucial role in matches that go down to the wire,” said the spinner.
One reason Mishra has not cemented his place in the team, especially in the shorter formats, is because he has not been able to contribute much with the bat compared to the younger blood.
Even in the last game in Mohali, he was out to a reckless stroke when the match was set for a tight finish. Eventually, the team suffered an unexpected loss in the second ODI.
“I can’t say much about my batting ability going down over the years. Last match was an opportunity and I played a bad shot. I though it was required (to play an attacking shot) at that time. We could have won the game if any of us would have stayed in longer. Next time, I will take my time when there is a situation like that (in Delhi) and try to prove myself.”
Despite the six run loss, the atmosphere in the dressing room remained positive.
“Anil bhai is always positive no matter what happens. The team has the talent to win every match. But like I said, we did not play to our potential. We would have won had we played proper cricket. We will try not to repeat the mistakes of the last game.”
