In a compelling display of cricket, young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi emerged as a pivotal player for India in their home T20I series against Australia, clinching a record previously held by the celebrated Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. During the series-deciding match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Bishnoi’s impressive performance with the ball helped India to a nail-biting six-run victory, paving the way for him to be honored with the Player of the Series award.
Bishnoi, only 23 years old, concluded the series with nine wickets in his kitty across five matches, distancing himself as the leading wicket-taker by a margin of three from his teammate Axar Patel. His presence on the field was marked by an outstanding performance in the second T20I when his three-wicket haul for 32 runs was crucial in defending India’s total of 235 against the formidable Australian batting lineup.
By matching Ashwin’s benchmark of nine wickets in a bilateral T20I series, a record originally set back in 2016 during India’s series against Sri Lanka, Bishnoi has etched his name into Indian cricket’s record books. After seven long years, Ashwin’s solo hold on the record has been shared with the young leg-spinner, whose ascendancy in the game is a signal of India’s continuous generation of talented spinners.
Bishnoi’s accomplishment also takes on additional significance as he becomes the first Indian spinner to claim wickets in 10 consecutive T20I matches, a feat that is a testament to his consistency and skill. It bears noting, however, that the overall record for wickets in consecutive T20Is for India is held by the fast bowler Ashish Nehra.
The series itself was marked by India’s dominance as they triumphed over their Australian counterparts with a series score of 4-1. The Indian team started strongly with wins in the first two T20Is, albeit facing a setback with a loss in the third match. However, they displayed resilience and strategic acumen by securing a win in the fourth match by 20 runs and epitomizing their competitive spirit in the electrifying final match.
The last match of the series had the audience on the edge of their seats as India, despite being in a challenging position on the Bengaluru track with a score of 160, managed to maintain their advantage. The Australian team, however, was not going down without a fight. Standout performances from Ben McDermott, with a notable fifty, and impactful innings from Tim David and Matthew Wade, meant that the outcome hanged in a delicate balance. The climax came down to the last over with India’s Arshdeep Singh defending 10 runs to secure the victory for his team.
This home series against Australia not only marked a series win for India but also heralded the rise of a new cricketing sensation in Ravi Bishnoi. His control, guile, and ability to deliver under pressure have shown that he is a force to be reckoned with in the international arena, and his recent accolades only underline the potential he holds for the future of Indian cricket. As fans and cricket aficionados look ahead, there is no doubt that Ravi Bishnoi’s name will be one to watch in the T20 format.