Amit Mishra, the veteran leg-spinner playing for Lucknow Super Giants in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), has been putting up impressive performances at the age of 40. Despite taking six wickets in as many appearances this year so far and bowling with an economy rate of 7.27, his fitness issues have prevented him from cementing his place in the team. Former Indian opening batter Virender Sehwag, citing the example of MS Dhoni, who continues to mesmerize the crowd in the IPL at the age of 41, feels that Mishra should work on his fitness and come back stronger in the next season of the cash-rich league.
Sehwag said in an interview with Cricbuzz that Mishra’s talent has not diminished with age. He added that cricketers retire because they need to field for 20 overs and keep themselves fit. While a player like Sunil Gavaskar can still hit great shots with a bat, running between the wickets, fielding, and recovery become difficult with age. Sehwag believes that cricketers should extend their careers as much as possible, just like Dhoni, Kohli, Rohit, and Dhawan have done, and that they all have good fitness.
Sehwag said he would be more than happy to help Mishra prolong his career and urged him to put in the hard yards to extend his career by a year or two. He added that if Mishra cannot do it himself, he can contact him, and Sehwag will make sure he does.
Mishra has been one of the most successful leg-spinners in IPL history, with 164 wickets in 151 matches at an economy rate of 7.34. He has played for several teams, including Delhi Capitals, Deccan Gladiators, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and now, Lucknow Super Giants. Despite being in and out of the team due to fitness issues, he has consistently performed whenever given a chance.
