Ravi Bishnoi is a modern-day leg spinner who relies more on his deceptive googly than the traditional leg break, making him a perfect fit for the demands of T20 cricket. Bowling at a quick pace with a low arm action, Bishnoi makes it difficult for batters to line him up and attack consistently. Born and raised in Jodhpur, he took to cricket at a young age and modeled his bowling action on Shane Warne. He rose to prominence during the 2020 Under-19 World Cup, where he finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, earning widespread praise. His performances led to an IPL contract with Punjab Kings, where he impressed in his debut season and was shortlisted for the Emerging Player of the Tournament award. In 2022, Bishnoi was traded to the newly formed Lucknow Super Giants along with KL Rahul and Marcus Stoinis, and he played a key role by bowling tough overs and picking up 13 wickets as the team reached the playoffs. His IPL form earned him a call-up to India’s T20I side, making his debut against West Indies at home, followed by an ODI debut soon after. However, stiff competition among spinners meant he struggled to cement a regular spot in the national team. Despite decent performances in limited opportunities, Bishnoi missed out on selection for the 2022 T20 World Cup, though he was part of a second-string Indian squad that won gold at the 2022 Asian Games. After appearing to have overtaken Yuzvendra Chahal in the pecking order, Bishnoi was again left out of the 2024 T20 World Cup squad as selectors opted for Chahal’s experience. Following India’s T20 World Cup triumph, in which Chahal did not feature, the selectors returned to Bishnoi, bringing him back into India’s T20I setup.
