Leggie Mishra helps Deccan Chargers crush Pune Warriors' slim play-off hopes

Amit Mishra's recall for next month's one-day series in the West Indies tour seems to be a big boost for the leg-spinner.

The leg-spinner, who has been the pick of the bowlers for Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League's (IPL) fourth season, carried the momentum gained from his man of the match-winning performance against formidable Mumbai Indians on Saturday.


Deccan Chargers' Amit Mishra (right) celebrates Pune Warrior Robin
Uthappa's wicket at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai yesterday.
PIC/SURESH KK

Justifying his billing in the IPL IV auction where he got $300,000, Mishra was again the pick of the bowlers against Pune Warriors India at DY Patil Stadium in Nerul yesterday. Two wickets off successive deliveries put Pune on the back foot after a fine start by openers Jesse Ryder (18) and Manish Pandey (23). Yesterday's performance bagged Mishra his second consecutive man-of-the-match award.

Deccan Chargers, who restricted Pune Warriors to 136-9, then successfully chased down the target with six wickets in hand to throw Pune out of contention for the play-offs.

Mishra's inclusion in the national team seemed to have done wonders to his confidence, reckoned former New Zealand pacer-turned-commentator, Simon Doull

"It (his recall to the team) seems to have added a new lease of life for Mishra. He is back on song. We saw one of the best leg spin spells today. His biggest strength is his guts. He does not mind tossing up the ball in T20s as well," Doull told MiD DAY.

Mishra, who bowled a maiden first over, got rid of Robin Uthappa (4) caught and bowled and then sneaked one through Mithun Manhas' defence which added some excitement to the match. He eventually finished with figures of 4-1-26-2. Daniel Christian and Pragyan Ojha also took two wickets each.u00a0u00a0

The Haryana leggie has taken 15 wickets in 13 matches to top the wicket-takers' chart for the IPL II champions. He was impressive in the domestic one-dayers, picking up 18 wickets in six matches.