Ravi Bishnoi will be dropped from IND vs SA 2nd T20I!! Bold call rocks Indian cricket

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that Ravi Bishnoi will be dropped from the second T20I between South Africa and India at Gqeberha despite a three-wicket haul in the previous match.

Bishnoi produced a fantastic spell in the first T20I at Durban as he claimed 3-28. His variations proved to be too much for South Africa's middle order and lower middle order.

Along with Bishnoi, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy also picked up three wickets in the match. Chakravarthy finished with 3-25 in four overs as he picked up the big wickets of Ryan Rickelton, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller.

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Aakash Chopra makes a bold claim about Ravi Bishnoi

While doing the preview of the second T20I on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra claimed that India will drop Ravi Bishnoi if they opt to play two spinners in the match. Chopra noted that the pitch at Gqeberha might be tacky which might prompt India to bring in an extra batter.

"The big question is whether three spinners will play again. Based on what I saw in the SA20, the pitch in Gqeberha is slightly tacky, it's not very good. So will India play three spinners? I am not 100 percent certain," Chopra said.

Further speaking on India's team composition, Aakash Chopra stated that Axar Patel cannot be dropped as he is an allrounder who provides balance to the batting line-up. He further added that Ravi Bishnoi might have to make way as Varun Chakravarthy is in great form.

"However, if they don't play, who will they drop because Axar (Patel) can't be dropped? If you see this team, Axar is batting at No. 7. You won't drop someone who is batting at No. 7. One of the spinners below him will have to go if you go with two spinners," Chopra explained.

"Who will that be - Varun Chakaravarthy or Ravi Bishnoi? As unfortunate as it might be, I feel it will be Ravi Bishnoi because, at this point in time, no one is touching Varun Chakaravarthy," the former India opener added.

Ravi Bishnoi numbers in T20Is

Ravi Bishnoi has a good record in T20Is. The 24-year-old legspinner has picked up 54 wickets in 34 matches at an average of 17.92 and an impressive economy rate of 7.29. However, he has been unlucky to have made it to the Playing XI because of the high competition within the team.

Both Bishnoi and Chakravarthy were instrumental in India's win in the first T20I. Both the spinners showed their quality and played a key role in reducing a powerful South African batting line-up to a low score.

Aakash Chopra on Varun Chakravarthy

Talking about the performances of Varun Chakravarthy, Aakash Chopra recalled his performances against Bangladesh recently and claimed that the mystery spinner has moved ahead in line.

"He (Varun Chakaravarthy) first played against Bangladesh, picked up five wickets in three matches, and took three wickets in the last match as well. If we see from that viewpoint, Varun Chakaravarthy has moved ahead in the line. If two spinners play, I am seeing Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy playing," he claimed.

Varun Chakravarthy emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the T20I series against Bangladesh. He picked up 5 wickets in three matches at an average of 14.60 and an economy rate of 6.08. He is likely to play all the matches in the ongoing series barring any injury.