Mishra impresses with 5 wickets on Test debut

Newcomer Amit Mishra was helped by advice from former legspinners Shane Warne and Narendra Hirwani when capturing his first five-wicket haul on Sunday in the second Test against Australia.

The legspinner spoke with Warne during the Indian Premier League tournament earlier this year and was told to be positive, while Hirwani, an India's selector, has spent time offering tips during the series.

"I've always interacted with Hiru (Hirwani) and learned a lot from him," Mishra said. "Just to bowl to my strengths."

After taking 5-71 from 26.4 overs, Mishra joined Hirwani as one of only six India bowlers to claim five wickets in an innings in their first match.

The 25-year-old Mishra plays for Haryana state and took 303 wickets in 77 first-class games before getting his chance when Anil Kumble injured his right shoulder during the drawn first Test in Bangalore.

Mishra was out of favour with the national selectors for five years after playing three ODIs in 2003.

"That was a learning phase and it was good experience," he said.

The form of Kumble and offspinner Harbhajan Singh meant there were no more openings until this game.

"I just bowled the way I bowl in domestic cricket," Mishra said. "I never thought my opposition was Australia. My only aim was to take wickets."

He picked up Simon Katich and Michael Clarke on the second day before dismissing Cameron White, Shane Watson and Peter Siddle as Australia was all out for 268. India then scored 100-0 to take a lead of 301 at stumps on the third day.

Mishra started bowling legspin seriously after seeing Shane Warne's "Ball of the Century" to Mike Gatting at Old Trafford in 1993.