I was under no pressure: Mishra

Mohali, Oct 19 (UNI) Leg Spinner Amit Mishra, who claimed five wickets on his debut, today said he never allowed pressure to overpower him.

''I was not under any kind of pressure despite bowling to the number one side in the world,'' Mishra told mediapersons adding that ''I tried to play my natural game. My aim was to take a wicket off every ball and that helped me to concentrate. I tried to use a lot of variation and trouble the batsmen.'' ''I went into the match with a aim to take wickets and I am happy that I achieved that,'' said Mishra, who is making a return to international cricket five years after his one-day debut in 2003.

He lavished praise on Anil Kumble and Narender Hirwani, saying they helped me a lot by providing me tips.

''I have been in touch with Hirwani even before he became the national selector and he has always been very helpful.'' Mishra also said ''Dhoni and Kumble have been very encouraging they gave me lot of confidence'' and added ''I would rate Clarke's dismissal as my best and also the most crucial breakthrough for us.'' Asked whether he has created a problem for the selectors by his fine showing, (He came is in the eleven because Anil Kumble opted out due to injury) he replied, ''My job is to perform, I don't look beyond that.'' He said for the last five year he has been doing very well in the domestic circuit.

''I have learnt a lot and gained lot of experience. It has been a very valuable learning experience.'' Mishra said Shane Warne and Anil Kumble are his idols.

''I want to be like them,'' he added.

UNI HSB CS AS1831