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Ravi Bishnoi emerges as India's third spin option ahead of T20 World Cup

Bishnoi has given this Indian side the option of a solid third spinner now. It is not easy to come in for someone like Chahal

By Omar | Dec 4, 2023 | 2 Min Read

Inclusion of Ravi Bishnoi in India’s T20I squad against South Africa signals a strategic move by the team management, anticipating the T20 World Cup next year. With only six T20Is remaining before the global event, the 23-year-old leg-spinner appears to have surpassed veteran Yuzvendra Chahal in the pecking order. Bishnoi’s outstanding performance in the recent Australia series, earning him the ‘Player of the Series’ title for capturing nine wickets in five matches, highlights his ascent. Despite facing challenges in Visakhapatnam, Bishnoi’s resilience and diverse bowling style, featuring well-disguised googlies and skidding deliveries, distinguish him.

The young spinner’s adaptability and knack for crucial wickets, exemplified in his dismissal of Travis Head, have earned acclaim. However, Bishnoi contends with competition from seasoned spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, who will compete for lead roles upon their return to team India. Nonetheless, Bishnoi’s impactful performances firmly position him as a formidable asset in India’s spin arsenal, presenting a valuable third-spin option in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup.

“Bishnoi, obviously, has been great throughout the four games. He has been quite hard to get a hold of. Some of our guys with less experience will learn a lot from facing him,” said Wade.

He is not a huge turner of the ball either, and hardly ever tries to outfox the batters like Chahal does with wide of the off-stump bowling.

But Bishnoi is quick off the surface, making the ball skid to the batters to catch them napping.

Legendary Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan underlined this part of Bishnoi’s game.

“Bishnoi is different from any other leg spinner out there. He bowls quicker and he slides the ball a lot, and it is tough to face him on helpful wickets,” Muralitharan said on Jio Cinema.

The young Indian spinner showed precisely through the dismissal of Travis Head.

“Bishnoi has given this Indian side the option of a solid third spinner now. It is not easy to come in for someone like Chahal. But Bishnoi has made it look easy, and I hope he continues that,” a former India spinner told PTI.

“The T20 World Cup is going to be played in the West Indies and the USA and the pitches there might offer some assistance to the spinners. Having three quality players in that department will give the team a certain edge,” he added.