Amit Mishra accuses Virat Kohli of breaking comeback promise after 2017 injury

Former India leg‑spinner Amit Mishra says captain Virat Kohli broke a promise to bring him back into the national side after his 2017 injury. Mishra was sidelined with a ankle problem during a T20 International in Bangalore and earlier that year played his last match against England. At the time Anil Kumble was head coach; Mishra recalls Kumble telling him, “Don’t worry, once you are fit you’ll be back.” After Kumble, Kohli became captain and Mishra asked him what steps were needed. Kohli replied, “Just get fully fit, you will be in the team.” When Mishra recovered, he messaged Kohli and was told a response would come in seven to ten days. No call or reply arrived, despite repeated calls and messages. Mishra alleges that other injured players eventually returned, but the promised protocol never applied to him. He narrated the episode on former batsman Akash Chopra’s “Baith & Bol” podcast, calling the assurances “empty.” In a separate development, Mishra was appointed spin‑bowling coach of the Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2027, working under head coach Sourav Ganguli, batting coach Yuvraj Singh and pace coach Chaminda Vaas. ## Context The incident highlights how selection decisions after injuries can depend on informal assurances from senior players and coaches, and how former internationals sometimes resort to public platforms to voice grievances when they feel overlooked.