Amit Mishra might not be as flamboyant as Imran Tahir in his celebrations, but his talent as a leg-spinner is undeniable. On a pitch that was challenging for batters, LSG’s pacers and spinners found a blueprint to keep the opposition’s scoring in check. Neither Ravi Bishnoi nor Krunal Pandya are big turners of the ball, but their slower pace wasn’t allowing the SRH batters to break free. Mishra’s services were not utilized until the 12th over, but he found a way to fit into the team’s plan by using his slow, loopy legbreaks, which have a wide range of variations. Mishra started by containing Washington Sundar and putting pressure on the batters to add power to their shots, leading to two of them being caught in the deep. His return of two wickets and a superb diving catch helped reduce SRH to 108 for 7 in 19 overs. Although Mishra’s stamina may have waned, his primary skill continues to serve him well. The Impact Substitute rule has given greater relevance to his legbreaks, especially on tracks that are challenging for batters. While Mishra’s body might be aging and his other skill sets might be waning, he could prove to be an interesting trump card to slow down the fast-paced game on the black soil Lucknow track. Looking ahead, it’s doubtful that Mishra will have the same number of opportunities as in the SRH match to showcase his legbreaks. LSG boasts a well-rounded team with all bases covered for all match-up scenarios and all periods of play. However, Mishra’s experience and willingness to pass on his understanding of leg spin to younger players like Bishnoi make him an essential part of the team’s setup. Fifteen years after his first appearance in the IPL, Mishra has adapted to the changes in the game and continued to make an impact. He might not be as flamboyant as Tahir in his celebrations, but he is quietly effective and continues to be one of IPL’s less-celebrated but prolific bowlers. While Krunal Pandya took center stage in their win over SRH, Mishra’s contributions did not go unnoticed, and he remains an integral part of LSG’s setup going forward in IPL 2023.
