Bishnoi Refines Length Control After Last IPL Season
Ravi Bishnoi has significantly refined his bowling technique following a challenging last IPL season. After a year of hard work and self-assessment, he is eyeing a revival in his cricketing career and hopes to secure a spot in the T20 World Cup. Last season, Bishnoi’s performance was disappointing, as he took only nine wickets from 11 matches, averaging over 44 runs. This underwhelming display contributed to his team, owned by Sanjiv Goenka, finishing seventh in the standings and missing the playoffs.
Bishnoi’s Fresh Start with Rajasthan Royals
Following his release, Bishnoi found a new opportunity when Rajasthan Royals acquired him for ₹7.20 crore in this year’s auction. Reflecting on his IPL struggles, he noted, “I didn’t have much control over my lengths and lines last season.” He focused on honing his length control, aiming for a consistent length of 5-6 meters on the stumps, making it challenging for batsmen to hit effectively.
T20I Series Opportunity
The 25-year-old wrist-leg spinner last represented India in February against England. Initially overlooked for the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, he was called up after Washington Sundar’s injury. Despite the tough competition from established spin bowlers like Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav, Bishnoi made a remarkable entrance into the squad.
Outstanding Performance Against New Zealand
In the third T20I, Bishnoi showcased his refined skills, achieving impressive figures of 2/18. He took crucial wickets by dismissing notable players such as Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips, which greatly impacted New Zealand’s middle order. His accurate lengths and steady pace helped restrict the visitors to 153/9, leading India to an eight-wicket victory in just 10 overs, securing a 3-0 lead in the series.
Thoughts on His Journey
After the match, Bishnoi expressed his feelings about being away from the national team: “You feel like you should be there, but you are not.” He acknowledged the strength of the current Indian team and the limited opportunities available. However, he remained optimistic, stating that the time spent working on his game has been beneficial for his growth as a cricketer.
