Amit Mishra accuses Virat Kohli of ignoring calls after promising India comeback

Former leg-spinner says assurances from Kumble and Kohli never materialised

Former India leg-spinner Amit Mishra has claimed that an injury sustained during the 2017 T20I against England in Bengaluru brought his international career to an early end, alleging that then head coach Anil Kumble and captain Virat Kohli assured him of a comeback but later stopped responding to his communications.

Mishra, who has not played for India since that match against England, made the claims during a podcast hosted by former India cricketer Aakash Chopra.

Assurances after injury

"I got my leg injured during that time in Bangalore. And when I was leaving after getting injured, Anil Kumble was the coach. So I told Anil Bhai, I said, 'Anil Bhai...'. He said, 'Don't worry. As soon as you get fit, you will automatically come back,'" Mishra said.

He said he also spoke to Kohli after the captaincy change.

"Then, Virat Kohli became the captain after this. I also asked Virat Kohli, I said, 'Brother, what needs to be done?' He said, 'You don't worry. Get fully fit and comfortable, and you are there [in the team],'" he added.

Calls unanswered after recovery

According to Mishra, after recovering from the injury he contacted Kohli to check on his chances of returning.

"So, I went to him. I asked, 'Brother, what's the situation?' So he said, 'I will let you know in a week to ten days.' Then brother, one week passed, two weeks passed, three weeks passed, there was absolutely no update from him. I called him... so, he did not pick up the call. I messaged him, but there was no reply," Mishra said.

He said repeated attempts went unanswered.

"I called again, he did not answer. I called twice more, still nothing... so I also let it go. Then I thought, 'Brother, what can we do?' When someone does not want you, what can you do?"

No explanation given

Mishra said the assurances from Kumble and Kohli did not translate into a return to the national team, with the match against England becoming his final international appearance for India.

"When players who got more severely injured than you, and were injured for much longer, made their comebacks... yet, I have never received any answer to this day," he said, adding he felt he was not given the same opportunity and has never received an explanation for what happened.