Amit Mishra Reveals Virat Kohli Promised Him India Return After Injury but Never Responded to His Calls
Veteran Indian leg-spinner Amit Mishra has made explosive claims, stating that former captain Virat Kohli promised him an India comeback after an injury but never followed through on the call.
Indian cricket circles are abuzz following veteran leg-spinner Amit Mishra's candid remarks regarding his unceremonious exit from the national team, directly implicating former captain Virat Kohli. Speaking in a recent interaction with former India opener Aakash Chopra, Mishra, now 43, revealed that Kohli had promised him an opportunity for an international comeback after he recovered from an injury, a call that, according to Mishra, never materialized. On This Day in 2022: Virat Kohli's Unbeaten 82 Helps India Beat Pakistan in T20 World Cup Thriller.
Amit Mishra on Kohli's 'Broken Promise' Amid India Snub
Mishra, who retired from all forms of cricket in September 2025, expressed deep disappointment over the incident, which he claims left him in the dark about his future with the national side.
The Promising Run and Subsequent Snub
The leg-spinner's claims trace back to a period immediately following a spectacular individual performance. In India's five-match One Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand in 2016, Amit Mishra was in stellar form. He scalped an impressive 15 wickets, ultimately being named the Player of the Series.
His most memorable outing came in the decisive fifth ODI in Visakhapatnam on October 29, 2016, where he returned exceptional figures of five wickets for just 18 runs, playing a pivotal role in India's 190-run victory that sealed the series 3-2.
However, despite this dominant display, Mishra's career was interrupted by an injury. Upon completing his rehabilitation and regaining full fitness, he reached out to then-captain Virat Kohli to discuss his prospects of returning to the team.
Unanswered Calls and Unclear Communication
Mishra recalled that Kohli asked him to wait for a week, assuring him he would get back. However, as per Mishra's account, a week stretched into two, then three, with no communication from the captain.
Further attempts by Mishra to contact Kohli for clarity also reportedly yielded no satisfactory response, leading him to conclude that his international career was unlikely to resume. Mishra last represented India in February 2017, in a T20 International against England.
Contextualizing the Claims
At the time of these events, Virat Kohli was leading the Indian team across formats. While Mishra's account highlights a perceived lack of communication, the exact circumstances behind selection decisions from the team management's perspective remain unaddressed. Amit Mishra Appointed Delhi Capitals Spin Bowling Coach for IPL 2027.
It is worth noting that Kohli himself stepped down from Test captaincy in January 2022 and retired from T20Is after the victorious 2024 T20 World Cup, followed by his Test retirement in May 2025. He continues to be a prominent figure in India's ODI setup.
Player Details
| Player | Date of Birth | Age (as of Oct 23, 2026) | Last International Match | Current Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amit Mishra | Nov 24, 1982 | 43 years | Feb 1, 2017 (T20I) | DC Spin Coach |
| Virat Kohli | Nov 5, 1988 | 37 years | Sep 27, 2026 (ODI) | India ODI Batter |
This fresh revelation by Amit Mishra sheds light on the challenges faced by cricketers navigating injuries and selection processes, prompting discussions on transparency and communication within the national team setup.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2026 12:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).