Leg-spinner Amit Mishra’s India comeback has a Chennai connection. He spent time with former India leggie Laxman Sivaramakrishnan at CricketDrome ahead of the ‘A’ series against Australia.
Sivaramakrishnan, a coach at CricketDrome, told The Hindu , “Mishra was with me for a few days at the facility ahead of the match, preparing for the season.”
He said, “We worked on a few things, like changing his pace and trajectory. I wanted him to pitch it up, getting the batsman to drive at the ball when it is still in the process of spinning.”
Sivaramakrishnan added Mishra picked up things quickly. “He is experienced and skilful.”
The former India leg-spinner revealed, “We also focussed on the transfer of body weight, from the back leg to the front leg and into the delivery stride. This way he would be bringing his whole body into play and not just the hand. When a bowler uses his body, he would be able to impart greater revolutions on the ball.”
Sivaramarkishnan elaborated, “When you use your whole body, your follow through is much better as well.”
Mishra did not try out different deliveries but focussed on leg-spin. “It was about bowling accurate and potent leg-spin. Today’s batsmen are not very good at defending for long periods. They seek to hit their way out of trouble.”
Sivaramakrishnan remembered working with Mishra at the National Cricket Academy in 2008. “Just a few days later, Anil Kumble retired. Mishra made his Test debut against Australia in Mohali and was among big wickets. I hope something similar happens for him in Sri Lanka. I believe Mishra is bowling very well now.”
