Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 4: Veteran India leg-spinner Amit Mishra on Thursday announced his retirement from all forms of professional cricket, drawing curtains on an illustrious career spanning over 25 years.
Mishra, known for his sharp variations and unerring control, represented India in 22 Tests, 36 ODIs and 10 T20Is, claiming 76, 64 and 16 wickets respectively. His decision, he said, was shaped by recurring injuries and the desire to create space for the next generation of cricketers.
“These 25 years of my life in cricket have been nothing short of memorable. I am deeply grateful to the BCCI, the Haryana Cricket Association, support staff, my colleagues, and my family who stood by me throughout. Most importantly, I thank the fans whose love and encouragement made this journey unforgettable,” Mishra said in a heartfelt statement.
Making his international debut in 2003 in an ODI tri-series in Bangladesh, Mishra had to wait five years for his Test debut, which came against Australia in Mohali in 2008. He immediately made an impact, becoming one among the select few bowlers to claim a five-wicket haul on debut.
In 2013, he etched his name in the record books by equalling Javagal Srinath’s world record of 18 wickets in a bilateral ODI series, achieved against Zimbabwe. A year later, he starred in India’s campaign at the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, bagging 10 wickets as the team finished runners-up to Sri Lanka.
Though his last international outing came in 2017, Mishra continued to shine in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL). His final appearance was for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024 against Rajasthan Royals, where he returned with figures of 1-20.
A stalwart of Haryana cricket, Mishra also left a rich legacy in IPL, finishing as the tournament’s seventh-highest wicket-taker with 174 scalps in 162 matches. He holds a unique record as the only bowler with three IPL hat-tricks, achieved across three different franchises – Delhi Daredevils (2008), Punjab Kings (2011), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (2013).
Looking to the future, the 41-year-old said he plans to stay connected with the sport through coaching, commentary, and mentoring young talent, while also engaging with fans via social media and YouTube.