When Amit Mishra was asked how he managed to grab four wickets on an unresponsive Warner Park pitch in the practice game against West Indies President’s XI, teammate Rohit Sharma stopped by to say “You can’t do anything on a track like that.” It was perhaps a compliment as the lone spinner bowled his heart out in extremely taxing conditions. First, he ended the 122-run stand for the second wicket by removing opener Rajendra Chandrika and then picked up three more in quick succession. He finished the day with an impressive figures of 27-5-67-4. Entrusted with the job of picking wickets for the team, Mishra, a vital cog in India’s bowling attack, will play a big role in upcoming four-match Test series in the Caribbean and later at home. The leg spinner spoke to BCCI.TV about his role, captain Virat Kohli’s support and Head Coach Anil Kumble’s influence. Excerpts: You bowled extremely well on a pitch where there was no assistance for the bowlers.

I am happy with my performance as bowling on this track was very difficult. To get my bowling rhythm back on a slow batting track is a good sign. We had a good practice game as we had batted well yesterday and also bowled well today (Sunday). It was extremely hot out there. Did you make any specific changes on a dull track? I was trying to vary my speed and was looking to ‘confuse’ the batsmen. I didn’t want them to know at what speed I was bowling. I was also mixing up my deliveries; bowling straighter ones in between and turning the rest. I am very happy that on a slow wicket I could dismiss four batsmen.

You’ve played Test cricket in the Caribbean before. The past experience should help.

Yes, the experience is going to help. I have played only one Test, but played more One-day cricket in the Caribbean. Anil bhai is with us (as Head Coach) and his experience is going to matter a lot. He has played here and he keeps telling us about the conditions. We will utilize his experience and form a strategy together.

You played alongside him in what was his last Test match. Tell us about your interactions with him There are many things that he tells me like my bowling technique, landing and finishing. Looking at the wicket, he tells me what are the areas where I can bowl and the kind of fields that I can set on a slow wicket Bowling leg spin is not easy and for a leg-spinner, your overall control is admirable. I bowl about two hours daily in the nets and also bowl with one stump for another half hour so that I do not lose my accuracy. It requires a lot of effort and I never shy away from working hard. I make sure that when I am not able to land my variation in the right spots, my leg spin, which is my most important weapon works perfectly. There are times when as a bowler you do not get the desired rhythm and in those times your leg spin (stock ball) must land perfectly. I bowl a lot in the nets and that is the reason why I have been able to be more accurate. In the IPL, you bowled a seam-up kind of a delivery. Will we see that in the Test series as well? Definitely. If there is a need to try that out, I will not hesitate. Test cricket is very different from limited overs, so If feel I may not be required to bowl that kind of a delivery. Captain Virat Kohli has always backed you. Having his trust must be a confidence booster for you. Virat Kohli is a positive person and he has created a similar positive environment within the team. He always supports me. There are no boundaries. Whenever I want to share something with him, I am free to express my opinion. He tells me, “You’re a wicket taking bowler and that is what you must do. You stay positive and stick to your strengths. Do not think about anything else”. We see you working on your batting too in the nets. If you create a 40-50 runs stand lower down the order, it helps your captain and the team. I am focusing on my batting as well as it is important to contribute with the bat.