He is all 22, but Ravi Bishnoi understands very well that cricket is indeed a cruel game and instead of Arshdeep Singh, he could have dropped a key nanny against Pakistan at the recently held Asian Cup. Arshdeep faced an incredible reaction on social media after dropping Asif Ali’s catch from Bishnoi’s bowling in the Super 4s match India lost.
However, Bishnoi had impressive numbers of 1/28 in 4 overs and was easily the best bowler in his only shot at the continental event.
“Paaji only sabse ache dost hai (Paaji is a dear friend). We all know that dropped catches are an essential part of the game. It can happen to the best. It could very well have been the other way around where he was bowling and I dropped the catch,” Bishnoi, who played 10 T20Is for India in 2022, told PTI during an interaction.
“Arshdeep is one of the bravest guys I know. After that catch, you saw how he came and threw at death. He never looked like he was upset. That’s his mental strength,” said the Rajasthan man , which is on standby for the ICC T20 World Cup.
Working on developing a powerful bone fracture
With 16 wickets and an economy rate of 7.08, Bishnoi has impressed in the chances he has been given for India in the shortest cut.
But after missing the T20 World Cup bus to a much older and accomplished Yuzvendra Chahal, the general question is whether he will become a one-dimensional option with googly as his only powerful weapon.
“Nobody from the team management has pushed me to develop a broken leg,” said the Jodhpur lad.
In fact, former leg spinner Sairaj Bahutule, who also happens to be one of the bowling coaches who travels with the team, told him not to worry.
“I had spoken to Mr. Sairaj and he said it’s fine as long as I work on that variation. He told me, ‘Yeah, you’re trying to develop a powerful leg break and one day you’ll definitely execute it to perfection. ‘ I’m working on it and hope it happens soon,” Bishnoi said.
In fact, wrist-turning is one of the most difficult arts in cricket and Bishnoi knows he can’t be afraid of batters attacking him.
“You shouldn’t be afraid to get hit or when the batter attacks. Per situation I bowl a lot of flippers and top spinners. You have to analyze the match situation and bowl accordingly.”
Yuzi bhai tells me to “enjoy” and “be fearless”
It’s not always easy when your competition is as skilled a bowler as Chahal, but Bishnoi enjoys every moment of working with the senior wrist spinner.
“Yuzic bhai didn’t tell me anything specific (in leg break bowling). He always tells me to enjoy every moment that you are on the ground and as a couple we should try to bowl well together which is beneficial for the team.”
Bishnoi is comfortable in both types of roles, both offensive and restrictive.
“One has to play a specific role that is assigned. Sometimes it can be a wicket-taking role and sometimes a restrictive role. For me the most important aspect is that I haven’t wasted any opportunities, whatever opportunities I’ve been given I’ve had my made an effort to use it.”
‘Dressing room accepted me with open arms’
It’s now been seven months since Bishnoi played sporadically for India, but being in that locker room environment with some of the best players in the world has helped him in his learning curve.
“It was the best moment of my life when I got a call from India and my coaches were in ecstasy. It has been a great journey with the team so far as we won almost all the bilateral matches and only Asia Cup didn’t go through in that way.”
promoted
Bishnoi will be the face of Super4, the latest entrant to the gaming sector that allows cricket fans and enthusiasts across India to assemble teams before a match starts. Super4 offers fans India’s first-ever cricket scorecard that allows fans and enthusiasts to create fantasy scoreboards.
It has also been announced as the title sponsor for the inaugural match of the upcoming inaugural Legends League match between Indian Maharajas and World Giants to commemorate the 75th year of Indian independence.
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