“Stopped Responding to My Calls”: Amit Mishra Alleges Virat Kohli Ghosted Him After Promising India ‘Comeback’

New Delhi, Oct 23: Former India leg-spinner Amit Mishra has opened up about the disappointment surrounding his international career, alleging that Virat Kohli stopped responding to his calls and messages after assuring him of another opportunity following an injury layoff.

Speaking on the Baith and Bol podcast with former India opener Aakash Chopra, Mishra recalled how he sought clarity about his place in the national team after recovering from an injury sustained during his time in Bengaluru. According to the veteran spinner, both then-head coach Anil Kumble and Kohli, who subsequently took over as captain, had assured him that he would be considered for selection once he regained full fitness.

Mishra said Kumble had encouraged him not to worry about his future, assuring him that he would return to the team after completing his rehabilitation.

"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... He said, 'Don't worry. As soon as you get fit, you automatically... you will come back,'" Mishra recalled.

The leg-spinner subsequently approached Kohli to understand what he needed to do to reclaim his place in the Indian side. Mishra alleged that the former India captain also reassured him, asking him to concentrate on recovering completely.

"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],'" Mishra said. However, according to Mishra, the situation changed once he had recovered and was ready to return to competitive cricket.

Amit Mishra Alleges Failed Talks With Kohli Repeatedly

Mishra claimed that when he contacted Kohli after regaining fitness, the captain asked him to wait for a week to 10 days before providing an update on his selection prospects. However, the promised response allegedly never arrived.

"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," Mishra said.

The former India spinner further alleged that his subsequent attempts to reach Kohli through phone calls and text messages yielded no response. He said the lack of communication left him without clarity about his international future, eventually prompting him to stop pursuing the matter.

"I called him... so, he did not pick up the call. I messaged him, but there was no reply. I called again, he did not answer. I called twice more, still nothing... so I also let it go," he added.

Mishra expressed particular disappointment over what he perceived as inconsistent treatment of injured players, arguing that cricketers who had suffered more serious injuries and spent longer periods on the sidelines had been able to return to the national team.

"When someone does not want you, what can you do? 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.

The allegations, as recounted by Mishra on the podcast, centre on the communication he says he received during his recovery and the absence of a subsequent explanation regarding his selection.

Amit Mishra's international career

Mishra last represented India in a T20 International against England in February 2017. Across his international career, the leg-spinner played 22 Tests, 36 One-Day Internationals and 10 T20Is, claiming 156 wickets across the three formats.
Known for his variations, control and ability to trouble batters with his leg-spin, Mishra remained a prominent figure in Indian domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League. His account offers a personal perspective on the uncertainty surrounding his international comeback, which he believes was compounded by the lack of communication from the leadership at the time.