India, Feb. 19 -- From a cricket coach at Nainital's Sherwood College to a three-year failed struggle to get into the Jharkhand team, left-arm spinner Mayank Mishra of Uttarakhand has faced several challenges before his journey turned around brilliantly this season. Mishra is in the spotlight as he tops the bowling charts with 59 wickets in the Ranji Trophy this year.

"Yes, when I look back on my journey in sport, it's a hard-fought struggle, but I am happy that I have achieved what I aspired for in my life," said Mayank.

"Fifty-nine wickets in 16 innings at an average of 17.69 looks like a dream to me. The joy of becoming the highest wicket-taker could have been doubled if we had won the semi-final against Karnataka today," said Mishra...