Amit Mishra Retirement: Revisiting His 5 Best Spells In International Cricket

In the age of fierce pace and flamboyant six-hitters, Amit Mishra was a nostalgic throwback — a classical leg-spinner who turned the ball more with his wrists than with brute force. On the field, he let the ball do the talking; off the field, he remained humble, grounded, and forever hungry to prove himself.

With his recent announcement of retirement from all forms of professional cricket, India bids goodbye to one of its most skilled yet underrated spinners. A craftsman of deceptive flight, subtle variations, and a googly that puzzled the best, Mishra leaves behind a storied, if understated, international career.

Career at a Glance

Test Matches: 22
ODIs: 36
T20Is: 10
Total International Wickets: 156
First-Class Wickets: 479
IPL Wickets: 173 (among top 5 all-time)

Though his appearances for India were sporadic, Mishra’s numbers reveal his value — a match-winner on his day, especially in spin-friendly conditions.

The Art of Subtle Spin

In a country obsessed with fast-bowling all-rounders or explosive top-order batters, Mishra quietly perfected his craft. His leg-breaks looped with grace, his googlies came out of nowhere, and his flights dared batters to misjudge. But perhaps his greatest strength was patience — he could bowl 6 overs without a wicket and still believe the 7th would yield magic.

🗣️ “He never turned heads with speed, but with spin. He wasn’t loud, but lethal,” says a former domestic teammate.

Top 5 Spells of Amit Mishra in International Cricket

1. 6 for 48 vs Zimbabwe – Bulawayo, 2013 (ODI)

In the fifth ODI of the 2013 tour, Mishra produced his career-best figures in a format dominated by batsmen. On a docile surface in Bulawayo, India had already sealed the series, but Mishra brought the heat.

With a varied diet of leg-breaks, sliders, and the deadly googly, he bamboozled Zimbabwe to claim six wickets for just 48 runs, becoming the hero of India’s 5–0 whitewash. His 18 wickets in the series equalled the world record for most wickets in a bilateral ODI series.

💬 “It was the perfect spell — flight, dip, bite, and brains,” recalled then-skipper Virat Kohli.

🏅 Impact: India’s first whitewash in Zimbabwe; Mishra’s ODI legacy sealed.

2. 5 for 18 vs New Zealand – Visakhapatnam, 2016 (ODI)

It was the series decider and the pressure was immense. The Kiwis had shown resilience throughout the tour, but Mishra brought the hammer down in a spell for the ages.

Bowling with rhythm, confidence, and mystery, he dismantled New Zealand’s batting unit. His final figures of 5 for 18 bowled them out for just 79, handing India a colossal 190-run win.

Mishra didn’t just win the match — he walked away with the Player of the Series award, proving he was far from a spent force at 33.

🔁 Replay moment: His googly to Ross Taylor that clipped off-stump — pure magic.

🏅 Impact: Clinched series, reasserted value, crowned ‘Best Bowler’ of the tour.

3. 5 for 71 vs Australia – Mohali, 2008 (Test)

Talk about making an entrance.

Making his Test debut against a formidable Australian lineup, Mishra was thrust into the spotlight after an injury to Anil Kumble. The pressure was enormous — the opponent, elite.

But Mishra rose, and how.

On a flat Mohali pitch, the debutant spun a web around the Aussies. His figures of 5 for 71 in the first innings turned the match. He followed it up with 2 more wickets in the second, helping India notch a famous win.

🗣️ “He bowled like a veteran, not a debutant,” said then-coach Gary Kirsten.

🏅 Impact: Proved he could carry India’s spin legacy post-Kumble.

4. 3 for 24 vs West Indies – Lauderhill, 2016 (T20I)

This match may not have seen a result due to rain, but Mishra’s spell in Lauderhill is one of the finest T20I displays by an Indian spinner abroad.

In a format where economy is currency, Mishra’s 3 for 24 on a flat deck against big hitters like Pollard and Bravo was an exhibition of control and cunning.

He removed Johnson Charles, Marlon Samuels, and the dangerous Dwayne Bravo — strangling the momentum just as the West Indies threatened to break free.

🏅 Impact: Showed why he could excel in the shortest format, even late in his career.

5. 4 for 47 vs Zimbabwe – Harare, 2013 (ODI)

This was another masterclass from the same Zimbabwe tour, where Mishra was virtually unplayable.

His 4 for 47 in Harare came with subtle flight and clever angles. It not only set up another comfortable win for India but also earned him the Man of the Match award — reaffirming his ability to be a match-winner when trusted.

🏅 Impact: Cemented dominance in the series and showcased consistency.

Mishra’s Legacy: More Than Just Stats

While some may glance at his numbers and compare him to greats with 300+ wickets, Mishra’s story was never just about numbers — it was about moments, magic, and mastery.

Most Wickets in an ODI Series

His 18 wickets in Zimbabwe is a record that stood unchallenged for years and is still joint-highest with Joel Garner. Not even Muralitharan, McGrath, or Bumrah came close in a five-match stretch.

Most Hat-Tricks in IPL

Mishra remains the only bowler to take three hat-tricks in the IPL — a feat unmatched in the league’s history. Each one came in different seasons, proving his longevity and variety.

Mentor for Young Spinners

During his later years, Mishra was often seen mentoring the likes of Ravi Bishnoi, Rahul Chahar, and even Kuldeep Yadav. His insights into wrist-spin — about rhythm, body control, and patience — will remain valuable for India’s future spin talents.

The Nearly Man of Indian Cricket?

If there’s one thing that adds a bittersweet tinge to Mishra’s career, it’s the fact that he never played a World Cup match. Despite being in the mix during the 2011–2015 window, he was often the backup option — behind Kumble, then Harbhajan, Ashwin, and Jadeja.

Still, he never sulked. He kept doing the hard yards in Ranji Trophy, in IPL nets, and wherever opportunities arose.

🗣️ “He never complained. He just kept turning up and turning the ball,” said IPL coach Ricky Ponting.

Farewell Message & Retirement Announcement

Amit Mishra announced his retirement with a heartfelt note on social media, thanking his coaches, teammates, fans, and BCCI.

📢 “The journey has been full of highs and lows, but the love for the game never faded. I leave the field with no regrets, only gratitude.”

From his early days in Haryana to IPL franchises like Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad, to wearing the India jersey, Mishra’s journey was anything but easy. But it was honest, persistent, and filled with moments of pure cricketing artistry.

Final Word: A Craftsman’s Curtain Call

As Amit Mishra walks into retirement, the cricketing world loses a rare artisan — a leg-spinner who refused to be flashy, but still left batters flummoxed.

He didn’t have the swagger of Warne, the flamboyance of Chahal, or the variations of Rashid Khan. But he had heart, wrist, and a brain that saw two deliveries ahead.

In a sport increasingly driven by algorithms and athleticism, Amit Mishra was proof that there’s still room for craft.