Uttarakhand spinner Mayank Mishra focussed on ‘process’ despite Duleep Trophy snub

Mayank Mishra picked a five-wicket haul against Tamil Nadu, including that of set batters B. Indrajith and Pradosh Ranjan Paul. | Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

Mayank Mishra had a stellar 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, taking 59 wickets and finishing as the competition’s second-highest wicket-taker. He played a key role in Uttarakhand reaching the semifinals for the first time. Despite these eye-popping returns, he wasn’t included in the Central Zone Duleep Trophy squad, which disappointed him.

However, that hasn’t stopped Mishra from doing what he does best: taking wickets by the bucketloads. On Monday, he took another five-wicket haul against Tamil Nadu, including the two set batters, B. Indrajith and Pradosh Ranjan Paul. His efforts kept TN from posting a big first-innings total.

“When I don’t find myself anywhere after getting 59 wickets in 8 matches, it just made me think that I have to continue my process. I can do what is in my hands. If you don’t get any recognition or you won’t get selected for anything, you don’t think too much about it because it’s a bit disappointing,” said Mishra.

“In 2022, I did very well in the Central Zone. In 2023, I took about 38 wickets but wasn’t picked for Duleep. Last year, I took 59 wickets, but I wasn’t picked. Now, I am not hoping for anything. I want to keep doing things which are in my hands,” he added.

The 36-year-old has played for minor counties in England and feels those experiences have helped him improve.

“Before, I used only to bowl a bit quick in the air. Since I started playing in the UK, I’ve also learned how to bowl slow. That helps me in the domestic circuit. I have been doing well in the UK as well.”

RELATED | Pradosh Ranjan credits mental discipline, defensive work behind hundred against Uttarakhand

On his idols, Mishra cited Daniel Vettori and Ravindra Jadeja as two bowlers he looks up to and even had a chance to chat with the latter in England last year.

“Most of the time, I see what he (Jadeja) does, what he wants to do for the team. I also spoke to him in England. He taught me so many things.”

“I just wanted to know how to bowl long spells and be fit. In the last five or six years, he’s been doing very well with the bat, and I want to do the same for my team. So that’s what I spoke about: how I can get there and help my team with the bat as well,” said Mishra.