Ex-Indian Opener Backs This Spinner Over Kuldeep Yadav, Chahal For T20 World Cup 2024
Ravi Bishnoi was POTS against Australia in T20Is (AP Photo)
Aakash Chopra believes Ravi Bishnoi's excellent performance during the five-match T20I series against Australia has nearly sealed the young wrist-spinner's place at the next ICC T20 World Cup in June 2024.
The former India opener reckoned Bishnoi has cemented his spot in the T20I outfit and will be flying to the Caribbean & USA with the senior side.
Bishnoi was one of the stand-out performers for India's second-string side in their dominant 4-1 series victory. The unorthodox bowler picked up nine wickets in five innings at an economy rate of 8.20 in a very high-scoring rubber.
The leading wicket-taker from either side formed a match-winning spin duo with the steady and accurate Axar Patel by giving the Aussies no breathing space at the crease, which forced them to take excessive risks against the Indian quicks and ultimately benefitted the Suryakumar Yadav-led side.
Chopra Backs Bishnoi To Play T20 World Cup
"I personally feel it's almost a done deal. I feel his (Bishnoi's) name will be there because of the way he is bowling and the number of wickets he is picking. He is consistent. He is a wicket-taker and bowls with the new ball," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
"The matches will be in America and the West Indies. Slightly quick in the air on slow pitches - I think he will bring value. The kid fields well and he is very accurate as a wrist-spinner. I feel if he keeps bowling like this and has a decent IPL, he is a done deal," he added.
Bishnoi was notably picked ahead of experienced wristspinner Yuzvendra Chahal for the series amidst the absence of incumbent Kuldeep Yadav, who was rested after the ICC World Cup 2023. With Chahal dropped from the T20I outfit, Bishnoi perfectly strengthened his jump in the hierarchy and built on his career gains.
Equally adept at handling right-handers and left-handers with his clock-like operation from above the head and incisive mix of googlies from varying angles, the 23-year-old extended his tally to 34 scalps in 21 T20I matches at just 7.14 runs an over.
 "Kashish Chadha")
