Delhi Capitals' (DC) leg-spin veteran Amit Mishra says he has stopped thinking whether he really got what he deserved as an India player and feels content in performing wherever he gets to play.
Mishra, among the finest spinners in the history of Indian Premier League (IPL), with 157 scalps in 148 matches, never really got a consistent run with the Indian team. Especially in the limited-overs cricket where, for a major part of Mishra's peak years, India lacked wicket-taking options through the middle-overs.
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The 37-year-old featured in 22 Tests, 36 ODIs and 10 T20Is for India, with his last outing in national colours dating back February 2017.
"I don't know if I am underrated. I used to think too much earlier, so mind used to get diverted, now I just focus on my job," he said during an online press conference, as quoted by PTI.
"To be honest, I didn't get what I should have but it's okay. People know who is Amit Mishra. That's is enough for me. I have to focus on my cricket and bowling so that is what I do," he added.
Mishra was effusive in praise for his Haryana mate, Rahul Tewatia, whose famous knock won Rajasthan Royals (RR) the fixture in Sharjah against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) on Sunday (September 27).
"He has been focussing on his batting. The way he played yesterday it is good for the future of Haryana. I want him to keep performing like this in future," Mishra said.
"I had a little bit of expectation that he can but I didn't expect that he will go on to play the innings he actually did. Sometimes your focus is so much, things start happening as you want."
"It was an innings which we don't see often. It is one of the best innings of his life so far."
On Tuesday's (September 29) match versus Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Abu Dhabi, Delhi's willy old fox said adjustment to the surface will be key as DC haven't yet played at the venue, winning both of their previous matches in Dubai.
"It is a bit slow. Batsmen are getting the time to play shots. Batsmen have an advantage, bowlers also are planning accordingly. It will be a slow wicket," he said.
Mishra is also mentally preparing himself for when his team plays in Sharjah. "For Sharjah, we have to plan better because it is a small ground. Compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the match in Sharjah will be more important match. If you win there, it will help the team," he added.
On head coach Ricky Ponting's support and influence in the camp, Mishra said the man's experience has been key for the side.
"He (Ponting) has played the game for such a long time, so he knows the mentality of the players. If someone is low or over-confident, he knows what to say."
"He always talks positive. He is so jolly, I also learn a lot from him how he handles players depending on their individual nature," he added.
