Ravi Bishnoi Reveals Why Rohit Sharma Picked Him Over Avesh Khan To Bowl The 2nd Super Over

The India-Afghanistan clash in the third T20I had a nail-biting end as the match went to a second super over. India posted a total of 212/4 and in response, Afghanistan also reached 212/6 taking the match to a super over which was tied at first in the super over also. Young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi emerged as a hero for India in the high-stakes second Super Over against Afghanistan.

Rohit Sharma entrusted the No.2 ranked T20I bowler with the responsibility of bowling the second Super Over, a decision that came down to strategic considerations. Ravi Bishnoi had previously experienced the pressure of a double Super Over match. He was chosen over pacer Avesh Khan due to the batting lineup and field dimensions favoring his style of bowling.

With two right-handed batters at the crease and a longer boundary on the leg side, Ravi Bishnoi had a clear task. His approach was to maintain a stump-to-stump line and pitch it back of a length, making it difficult for the batters to play aggressive shots off the front foot. As a result, the Afghan batters were forced to play at the back foot struggling to find the correct angle to send the ball past long-off, and as a result, Ravi Bishnoi took two wickets in the super over in just three balls helping India to clinch the victory.

Ravi Bishnoi talked about the adrenaline rush and excitement he felt during the Super Over while speaking to the broadcasters. His performance in the Super Over reflects his skills as well as his mental fortitude as despite the stakes being so high, he grabbed the opportunity with both hands and took the challenge of defending in such a crucial situation.

Ravi Bishnoi Now Wants To Prove Himself In Different Formats

“I was enjoying. The heart rate was high. I have played a double super over the match before. Me and Avesh both were asked to be ready but looking at the 2 right-handers and a longer boundary in the leg side I was tasked with the job,” Ravi Bishnoi told the broadcasters.

Ravi Bishnoi also talked about his hunger to prove himself in other formats than the T20s. He said that he will try to better himself in the Ranji Trophy which is India’s premiere first-class competition in Red-ball format. Ravi Bishnoi represents Gujrat in domestic cricket, a transition he made recently after facing a lack of game time for Rajasthan in domestic competitions.

“My plan was to bowl stump to stump and back of a length so that it becomes hard for them to hit forward. I was happy with the batters scoring off the back foot. I am enjoying playing for the country and defending in a Super Over. I am bowling well and delivering nicely. I will try to do better in the Ranji Trophy as well. I am trying to bowl leg breaks as well. I got some assistance in the Ranji Trophy as well bowling the leggie,” Bishnoi added.

India will now play a five-match Test series against England with the first Test commencing on January 25 in Hyderabad. The series against Afghanistan was the last white-ball series for India before the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 which will be followed by the IPL 2024. The T20 World Cup will be commencing on June 1 and India will start their campaign on June 5 against Ireland.