New Delhi: Veteran leg-spinner Amit Mishra has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, bringing down the curtain on a remarkable 25-year-long career. In a career spanning more than two decades, Mishra, 42, played for India in 22 Tests, 36 ODIs and 10 T20Is – picking 76, 64 and 16 wickets respectively. The wily spinner was known for his sharp variations and control. However, despite his fierce reputation and immense talent, Mishra failed to cement his spot in the Indian team.
He last played for India eight years ago in 2017, but continued to feature in the IPL till the 2024 edition. His final competitive match was Lucknow Super Giants’ fixture against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024, where he snared a wicket.
Mishra announced his retirement via a statement released on Thursday, stating that his decision was influenced by injury issues and his desire to step aside to give the next generation of cricketers a chance.
“These 25 years of my life in cricket have been nothing short of memorable. I am deeply grateful to the BCCI, the administration, Haryana cricket association, the support staff, my colleagues, and to my family members who were with me all this while.”
“I would like to thank the fans whose love and support whenever and wherever I played made the journey memorable. Cricket has given me countless memories and invaluable learnings, and each moment on the ground has been a memory I’ll treasure for life,” he said.
Mishra retires as an IPL legend
The Haryana leg-spinner made his international debut in 2003 in an ODI tri-series in Bangladesh. His maiden Test appearance, though, came five years later in 2008 against Australia in Mohali, where he picked up a five-wicket haul on debut.
In 2013, he also equalled Javagal Srinath’s record for the most wickets in a bilateral ODI series by bagging 18 wickets in the five-game series in Zimbabwe. He played in the 2014 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and finished with 10 wickets at an average of 14.70 and an economy rate of 6.68, as India lost the final to Sri Lanka.
He was a prolific wicket-taker in domestic cricket and the IPL. He ends his career as the seventh-highest wicket-taker in the IPL with 174 scalps in 162 games at an average of 23.82 and an economy rate of 7.37. Mishra is the only bowler to pick three hat-tricks in IPL’s history. He achieved the remarkable feat with three different teams: Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2008, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2011, and Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013.