ICC World Twenty20: I always try to pick wickets, not contain batsmen, says Amit Mishra

Leg-spinners might go for runs but that does not deter Amit Mishra from thinking about bowling an attacking line rather than trying to be a restrictive option for his captain. (Read: MS Dhoni impressed by Amit Mishra's exploits vs Pakistan)

"I am not afraid of flighting the ball because I always think about taking wickets and not restricting the batsmen. I believe you can never succeed trying to stop the flow of runs instead of trying to take wickets. If you try to take wickets, you can put pressure on the batsman," Mishra told reporters at post-match conference after India thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets in their World Twenty20 campaign opener in Mirpur on Friday. (Match Report: India beat Pakistan by seven wickets in Super-10 opener)

He said that Mahendra Singh Dhoni's tips were of great help as the skipper has always encouraged him to stay true to his strengths. (Highlights)

"The captain (Dhoni) always tells me that I should try to spin the ball as that is my strength. He tells me that I have the ability to beat the batsman in flight. That's how I got Ahmed Shehzad and Shoaib Malik out on Friday. In T20 cricket, more variations you have, the more advantageous position you are in," said Mishra, who was adjudged man-of-the-match for his effort of 2/22. (Amit Mishra credits MS Dhoni for his support in win against Pakistan)

The Haryana leggie felt staying positive during his prolonged period at the bench helped him perform on Friday.  (Stats: India maintain 100 percent win record against Pakistan in World Cups)

"I was never down on confidence when I was not playing. The key is to remain positive and I tried to shut out negative things. In our team, the good thing is that everyone is told to remain ready as anyone could be called up. When you get your chance, you need to grab it with both hands," he said.

Mishra said having done well against Pakistan in the last Asia Cup game also helped him a lot.

"It's always a special feeling to perform against a side like Pakistan. I bowled well against them in the last Asia Cup and that also helped. There is always a pressure of playing against Pakistan but I would never say extra pressure. That is always there when you are representing your country," he said.

He said that during his time at the bench, he has worked really hard to improve upon his fitness.

"I have worked on my fitness during the gym sessions. However I don't agree with the critics that I am slow through the air. I am still working on my bowling talking to the coaches, captain and the senior players."

Mishra has played only two T20 Internationals but has an experience of playing more than 100 (117 T20 matches) in all, with bulk of them coming in the IPL.

"Obviously, IPL has helped a lot to improve my bowling having competed with the best batsmen in the world. In fact, most of the talent in Indian cricket is coming through IPL as it is providing an ideal platform to the talented players," he said.