‘Don’t want to be known as man of comebacks, hope I’m here to stay this time’
India leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi doesn’t want to be known as a man of comebacks in his stop-start international career that saw him missing the last three T20 World Cups despite being on the selectors’ radar.
Back in the side again after the completion of another World Cup cycle, the 25-year-old from Jodhpur is hoping to get a longer rope this time around. Interestingly, he has been picked ahead of Kuldeep Yadav in the squads for the Ireland, England and Asian Games tour.
He is the only specialist spinner in the side alongside Varun Chakaravarthy, with Axar Patel and Washington Sundar performing the roles of an all-rounder.
A good IPL usually leads to India selection in the shortest format but Bishnoi did not have the best of times in the latest IPL where he was benched for the second half of the tournament with rookie Yash Raj Punja playing ahead of him.
To be fair to Bishoni, he has a decent international record with 64 wickets in 44 games at an impressive economy rate of 7.40 runs per over. He has also been ranked number one in the ICC rankings. In an interaction with PTI, a determined Bishnoi said he would do all in his powers to secure a spot in the 2028 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as the management tries out players and combinations starting with the Ireland series under the new leadership of Shreyas Iyer.
“Honestly, all my energies will be on ensuring that I am here to stay as a permanent member of the side. I don’t want to known as someone who keeps making comebacks,” he said.
Bishnoi is yet to speak to Shreyas and coach Gautam Gambhir on the upcoming assignment as the team is currently involved in an ODI series. In his mind, he has absolute clarity about his role. “Cricket is all about competing and making comebacks. And you keep your preparation complete. Try to be ready for any situation, for any series or upcoming games. When you are backed, your role is to be ready and do well. Which I always try to do,” Bishnoi, who is managed by SSpark Sports led by Rajeev Khanna, said. Bishnoi last played for India in January this year before missing the bus for the World Cup at home. To be not considered for three World Cups in a row was disappointing but Bishnoi said he did not have an option other than to keep working on his craft with coach Shahrukh back home.
“It is everyone’s dream to play in the World Cup. To win it. It is my dream too. Even though I have missed the World Cups, I have more opportunities. So I will try not to miss this time. I should make it count.
“And when you miss, it is not like suddenly someone is playing in my place. But India won the World Cup. Whoever plays in my place, they did really well.
“You know how good the competition is going on right now in the Indian team. It is competitive. I have only one goal in life. When I get a chance, I should be prepared and deliver myself. Then I shouldn’t have those regrets that I didn’t get that chance,” he said. Having said that, Bishnoi is only human and he does feel dejected when life is not going his way.
