Cricket is often celebrated not just for the game but for the moments of humanity and sportsmanship that emerge on the field. One such heartwarming incident occurred during a recent match when Indian cricket star Surya Kumar Yadav (fondly known as SKY) displayed an act of humility and respect toward his teammate Ravi Bishnoi.

While celebrating a wicket, Bishnoi’s cap accidentally fell to the ground and landed near Surya Kumar Yadav. What followed next won the admiration of fans across the globe. SKY immediately picked up the cap, kissed it, touched it to his own head as a mark of respect, and handed it back to Bishnoi with a smile.

A gentleman’s game highlighted by SKY’s gesture

Surya Kumar Yadav’s act was not just a mere reflex but a reflection of his grounded nature and understanding of cricket’s spirit. By kissing the cap and touching it to his head, SKY honored Bishnoi’s hard work and dedication symbolized by that cap.

This simple yet profound act resonated with fans, many of whom saw SKY’s actions as a reminder of the humility and respect cricket stands for. Social media erupted with praise for the Indian batter, with fans calling it a moment of pure class and a true representation of the values we all aspire to.

pic.twitter.com/ap5IkVGaK0

— The Modi Saga (@themodisaga) November 16, 2024

See Also: Rob Walter faces challenges as South Africa struggle in T20I Series

Surya Kumar Yadav: The people's cricketer

Surya Kumar Yadav has long been a fan favorite for his flamboyant batting and innovative stroke play. However, moments like these underscore why he’s not just admired for his cricketing skills but also for his character.

In a sport where competitiveness often overshadows camaraderie, SKY’s gesture became a shining example of the values cricket promotes—respect for teammates and the game itself. Fans lauded him for his down-to-earth attitude and for setting an example for aspiring cricketers worldwide.

Ravi Bishnoi, the star Indian spinner, showed off his fielding skills in India’s third T20I against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club. He took a fantastic catch to dismiss Brian Bennett.

This happened in the fourth over of Zimbabwe’s innings when they were trying to recover after losing Wessly Madhevere and Tadiwanashe Marumani early. Shubman Gill’s decision to give Avesh Khan another over was brilliant, as Avesh managed to get Bennet’s crucial wicket.

Ravi Bishnoi’s blinder to dismiss Brian Bennet

Avesh bowled a short of good length delivery, which Bennet cut hard through the off side. But he couldn’t get pass Ravi Bishnoi, who timed his jump perfectly and took an amazing catch.

Bishnoi’s catch ended Bennet’s innings, leaving him with just four runs from five balls. After Bennet’s dismissal, captain Sikandar Raza joined Dion Myers to stabilize Zimbabwe’s innings.

Earlier, with Shubman Gill’s half-century and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s useful knock, India set a challenging total of 182 runs. Zimbabwe was 36 for three in 5.3 overs.

India bounced back strongly in the series with a resounding 100-run victory over Zimbabwe in Harare. Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad led the charge as India leveled the series on Sunday, July 7th.

In a thrilling comeback, the young Indian team dominated Zimbabwe in the second T20I. Abhishek Sharma played a stellar innings, smashing a sensational century to propel India to a massive total of 234 runs. Zimbabwe struggled right from the start, managing to score only 134 runs in response, thanks to outstanding bowling performances by Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, and Mukesh Kumar.

Zimbabwe’s early charge and subsequent collapse

Zimbabwe began their chase aggressively, with Brian Bennett hitting boundaries early on. However, his departure after a quickfire 26 marked the start of Zimbabwe’s downfall. They lost wickets consistently, finding themselves at 76/7 by the 12th over. Luke Jongwe and Wessley Madhvere tried to revive the innings, but Zimbabwe eventually succumbed, getting all out in the 18.4 overs.

Ravi Bishnoi and Avesh Khan stood out with their superb bowling. Bishnoi conceded just 11 runs in his spell and took crucial wickets, while Avesh Khan troubled the batsmen with his pace and aggression.

Abhishek Sharma’s explosive century

The match belonged to Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who played pivotal roles with their contrasting yet effective batting styles. Abhishek Sharma, after a slow start unleashed his aggression to score a maiden T20I century. He hit 8 sixes and 7 boundaries in his explosive innings, dominating the Zimbabwean bowlers.

Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad showcased his class with an unbeaten 77 off 47 balls, paying homage to MS Dhoni on his birthday. The duo’s partnership of 137 runs set India on course for their highest-ever T20I total against Zimbabwe.

Rinku Singh also made a significant contribution, smashing 48* off just 22 balls towards the end of the innings, further bolstering India’s formidable total.

With this win India has tied the series 1-1 there are still three matches to go.

Young India spinner Ravi Bishnoi has said that the young team is trying their best to take forward the legacy of legendary players Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja, who announced their retirement from the T20I format after India won the T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean islands as well. While speaking in Harare after India’s loss in the first T20I against Zimbabwe, Bishnoi said that the Indian players were given their best in the game.

However, India lost to Zimbabwe in the first T20I match of the series on Saturday, 7 July as they failed to chase down 116 runs, and lost their first T20I match this year as well. The entire Indian batting unit, including Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag and Ruturaj Gaikwad failed to step up, as Zimbabwe registered a memorable win.

“We collapsed. The lack of partnerships, that made a difference. If we could have had 20-30 runs partnerships, the story could be different,” Bishnoi said in Saturday. “The seniors handed the responsibility to us and it is our responsibility to take the flag ahead, we are trying our best.”

SEE ALSO: ‘It’s coming home’ – Team India to reach New Delhi on Thursday

We let ourselves down in the field: Ravi Bishnoi

However, India will play their second T20I within 24 hours. India are likely to remain unchanged for the second game in Harare as well. India captain Shubman Gill felt that his team was rusty but he hoped to bounce back in the next match.

“We bowled pretty well, we let ourselves down in the field. We were not up to standard and everyone looked a bit rusty. We spoke about taking time and enjoying our batting but it didn’t pan out that way. Halfway through we had lost 5 wickets, would’ve been best for us if I stayed there till the end, very disappointed with the way I got out and the rest of the match panned out. There was a bit of hope for us but when you’re chasing 115 and your no.10 batter is out there, you know something is wrong,” Gill said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Zimbabwe will take on India in the 2nd T20I match at 4:30 PM IST on Sunday.

The young Indian team faced a tough challenge in Harare as Zimbabwe beat them by 13 runs, giving the World Champions their first T20I defeat of the year.

Zimbabwe’s bowlers delivered an impressive performance, defending a modest total of 115 and bundling India out for just 102 in 19.5 overs. Sikandar Raza and Tendai Chatara took 3 wickets each, while Clive Madande’s late surge helped secure the victory. India’s poor death bowling and reckless batting cost them the game.

India won the toss and chose to field first. Mukesh Kumar struck early, dismissing Innocent Kaia for a duck. Wesley Madhevere and Brian Bennett then steadied Zimbabwe’s innings until Ravi Bishnoi turned the tide, taking two crucial wickets. Despite Avesh Khan removing Raza and causing a collapse, Madande’s 29 off 25 balls pushed Zimbabwe to 115. Bishnoi was the standout bowler for India, claiming 4 wickets for 13 runs.

Zimbabwe’s new era under Sikandar Raza

India’s chase started poorly, with Abhishek Sharma out for a duck. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Riyan Parag also failed to score significantly. Rinku Singh was out for a duck, and despite Shubman Gill’s efforts, the team struggled.

Gill was eventually dismissed by Raza, leaving India at 47 for 6. Avesh Khan and Washington Sundar provided some resistance, but Raza’s catch and Chatara’s wickets sealed Zimbabwe’s win.

Zimbabwe’s bowling brilliance and India’s batting collapse

Patience is needed with the young Indian players like Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel, who are transitioning from IPL to international cricket. Their aggressive playstyle needs adjustment for the international stage.

Zimbabwe rebuilding under Sikandar Raza’s captaincy, showed belief and confidence. Despite missing key players like Sean Williams, Ryan Burl, and Craig Ervine, they capitalized on Madande’s late runs and Raza’s strategic bowling changes. Both teams will face off again on July 7.

The Indian cricket fraternity buzzes with anticipation as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently disclosed the 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Led by the seasoned campaigner Rohit Sharma, the squad boasts experience and youthful exuberance, aiming to clinch glory on the global stage.

The selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar ignored some deserving players from the squad. Instead of these deserving players, BCCI selected the quota of players. Let’s look at the 5 players who deserved a spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad. 

See Also: Ajit Agarkar explains reasons behind exclusion of Rinku Singh and KL Rahul from T20 WC squad

1.Rinku Singh: The ‘Finisher’ and His Reserve Position

Amidst the roster reveals, the absence of Rinku Singh from the primary squad raised eyebrows. Known for his adept finishing skills, Singh earned acclaim in international cricket yet found himself among the reserve players. Singh’s stint with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL underscored his potential, but a lacklustre season hindered his selection. Rinku scored 356 runs in 15 T20 International matches, including 2 half-centuries. During this period his strike rate has been 176.23.

Surely, he deserved a place in a 15-member squad because Team India needs a finisher in the lower order, and in recent times, no one has been a better finisher than Rinku Singh. Speaking on his exclusion, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated it is really unfortunate, it is not his fault that he missed out. It’s about combinations.

2.Shubman Gill: From IPL Stardom to Reserve Opener

Shubman Gill’s journey from IPL prominence to the reserve bench showcases the fickleness of cricketing fortunes. Despite an illustrious IPL 2023 campaign and captaincy at Gujarat Titans, Gill’s tepid performance in the ongoing IPL 2024 led to his reserve player status. 

Gill scored 890 runs in IPL 2023 with the help of 3 centuries and 4 half-centuries. After this, he became the Gujarat Titans captain in IPL 2024. His prowess as an opener remains, but consistency eluded him this season. This season of IPL, Gill has scored 320 runs in 10 matches.

Gill’s performance could have been better this season, but his attitude as a player and skipper increased under the mentorship of Ashish Nehra in IPL. The way he treated his boys on the field is just fascinating for every Indian cricket fan because everyone sees the next Indian skipper in him, and his exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad is nothing but a ridiculous decision from selectors.

3.Ravi Bishnoi: Struggles and Competition in the Spin Department

Ravi Bishnoi’s narrative embodies the competitive nature of cricketing selection. Initially touted as a prospect, Bishnoi’s recent form faltered, facing stiff competition from counterparts like Yuzvendra Chahal. With limited opportunities and subpar performances, Bishnoi’s inclusion in the squad became uncertain.

On the back of consistent performance in the IPL, he was fast-tracked to the national setup as well, and since his debut in 2022, he has featured in 24 T20Is and 1 ODI. For a wicket-taker bowler, he has only had five wickets at an average of 41.80 in eight matches and has leaked runs at 8.47. 

As per BCCI rule, they want new boys should play more matches, so why have they haven’t picked Ravi Bishnoi in the squad? He has that ability, which you want in any player to perform at the international level. Although his ranking in ICC Men’s T20I bowler is 6, now what do you want from a player?

4.KL Rahul: A Batsman in Tough Competition

KL Rahul’s predicament epitomizes the selection dilemma posed by an abundance of talent. Despite commendable performances for Lucknow Super Giants, Rahul grapples with the presence of formidable openers ahead of him in the pecking order. The fierce competition, coupled with stylistic similarities, complicates Rahul’s path to selection.

Based on runs scored, Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul makes a solid case to be selected in India’s T20 World Cup squad with 406 runs in ten matches, striking at 142.95 and 5th place in the Orange Cap list. 

He will be the best option if it comes down to choosing the backup openers. He has a lot of experience and can also be picked from a backup wicketkeeper’s perspective. 

Talking about his selection, Ajit explained, “KL’s a terrific player, we all know that. We were looking for guys who bat at the middle and KL bats at the top. Sanju can come down the order. Rishabh is batting at 5; that was more the thinking. Two incredible players as well”.

If we take a deep dive into this statement, we might see the hypocrisy of BCCI. Just one year before, when Team India didn’t have any player to bat at no.4, KL was there; India wanted an opener, then KL was there. Even KL bats from opening to no.6 position; what else do you want? KL opens in IPL, but BCCI clarified that they are not looking at IPL performances to select players. Then why they haven’t picked KL Rahul in the squad is a mystery.

5. T Natarajan: Deserving Selection and IPL Performance

In contrast, the inclusion of T Natarajan resonates with merit and performance. The Sunrisers Hyderabad’s left-arm pacer showcased remarkable prowess in the IPL 2024, securing 15 wickets in eight matches. Natarajan’s ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs and an impressive economy rate solidified his berth in the squad.

Currently, he is the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2024. Possessing an uncanny knack for delivering precise yorkers and maintaining stringent lines, Natarajan has emerged as an effective bowler in the death overs. 

Before the squad announcement former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar already stated that SRH left-arm pacer Thangarasu Natarajan deserved a spot in India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.

“I was thinking more like T Natarajan, the left-arm pacer bowler. He has been bowling extremely well. So, I thought maybe he could have been in the team. But that’s okay. I think the seam bowlers that they have got, they all have experience. So no problem with that,” Sunil Gavaskar said while speaking to India Today.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Rohit Sharma has been entrusted with leading the Indian cricket team in the T20 World Cup 2024, with the dynamic all-rounder Hardik Pandya serving as the vice-captain.

Squad Composition

The squad selection has raised eyebrows with the exclusion of India’s wicket keeper-batter KL Rahul, who also captains the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, and left-arm spinner Ravi Bishnoi, a standout performer currently ranked sixth in the ICC T20 bowler rankings. Instead, the BCCI included two specialist wicket-keepers – Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant.

See Also: T20 World Cup 2024: All squads announced so far

Reactions from Lucknow Super Giants

Through social media, Lucknow Super Giants expressed their disappointment over Rahul and Bishnoi’s omission. They posted pictures of the players with captions reflecting their significance to the team, emphasizing Rahul’s role as their top performer and Bishnoi’s star quality.

Bowling Line-up

The bowling department boasts a formidable trio of pacers, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh, with Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed as reserves. The return of veteran spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, alongside Kuldeep Yadav, is set to revive the famed ‘Kul-Cha’ partnership.

Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel will serve as the all-round options, adding depth to the batting order and offering valuable left-arm spin bowling options for the team.

Speculation surrounds the batting order, especially regarding the opening partnership. While Rohit Sharma is a certainty at the top, the potential inclusion of Virat Kohli alongside him remains a subject of debate, with Yashasvi Jaiswal as the only other designated opener in the squad.

India squad for 2024 T20 World Cup

Rohit Sharma (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Reserve players: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan

Ravi Bishnoi’s dip in form couldn’t have come at a worse time, as the selection for the 2024 T20 World Cup looms close. With less than two weeks until the squad announcement, the legspinner’s lackluster performances have put his inclusion in jeopardy. Expected to lead Lucknow Super Giants’ bowling attack, Bishnoi has struggled to make an impact in the ongoing IPL season, failing to pick up wickets and leaking runs consistently.

Once regarded as India’s premier T20I spinner, Bishnoi’s recent outings have been far from impressive. Despite being the second-highest wicket-taker for India since the 2022 T20 World Cup, his form in the IPL has been middling at best. With just seven games into the season, Bishnoi’s underwhelming displays have been a major letdown for both his franchise and his aspirations to represent the national team.

See Also: IPL 2024: Player Analysis: How did Jos Buttler Execute a Heist at Eden Gardens?

Bishnoi’s Performance Analysis: Impact at Different Lengths

Bishnoi’s season got off to a rocky start, managing just one wicket in the initial three games with concerning figures of 1/38, 0/25, and 0/33 against Rajasthan, Punjab, and Bangalore respectively. His economy rate soared to 9.6, indicating a struggle to contain runs. Despite a slight improvement in the following three matches, where he claimed three wickets at a better average of 16.7 and an economy rate of 5.8, his impact remained limited as he bowled fewer overs.

Against Gujarat, Bishnoi bowled only two overs while Thakur stole the show with five wickets. The match against Chennai presented a crucial opportunity for Bishnoi to showcase his credentials for the T20 World Cup selection. However, it turned out to be another disappointing outing as he conceded 44 runs in his four overs, while his spin partner Krunal Pandya fared better with figures of 2/16 in three overs.

Despite occasional glimpses of form, Bishnoi’s inconsistency and inability to make significant breakthroughs have raised doubts about his selection prospects for the national team. One of the key areas where Bishnoi has faltered is his economy rate, particularly when bowling full-length deliveries. This season, he has struggled to maintain control and has often been expensive when pitching the ball full, allowing batsmen to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Additionally, opponents have started to play him differently, treating him more like an offspinner rather than a traditional leg-spinner. This shift in approach has made it challenging for Bishnoi to deceive batters with his googlies, resulting in a decrease in effectiveness and an increase in his economy rate.

Furthermore, Bishnoi’s reliance on googlies has become a double-edged sword, as batters have become adept at picking his variations. Despite bowling a significant portion of his deliveries as googlies, his economy rate is surprisingly lower when delivering them compared to conventional legbreaks and flippers.

This indicates a lack of variation and adaptability in his bowling, making it easier for batters to anticipate and counter his deliveries. As a result, Bishnoi finds himself in a precarious position, with his chances of selection for the T20 World Cup dwindling as the tournament progresses.

In a recent IPL match, LSG spinner Ravi Bishnoi pulled off an amazing catch against GT. He dismissed GT batter Kane Williamson with a catch off his own bowling. This catch was crucial in GT’s chase of 164 runs at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Jonty Rhodes, LSG’s fielding coach and a legendary fielder himself, praised Bishnoi’s catch. LSG won the match by 33 runs, marking their first IPL victory over the 2022 champions.

In a video shared on social media by the IPL, Bishnoi and Rhodes talked about the catch. Rhodes mentioned that Bishnoi never misses fielding sessions and praised him for giving himself enough time to make the catch.

LSG fielding coach lauds spinner’s technique

This catch was Bishnoi’s 18th in the IPL, playing in 56 matches across five seasons.

Rhodes said, “Someone like Ravi, he completely exhausts me and never misses a single day of practice. If we’re at the ground, he will take catches every single day. So, he works hard on his bowling, not so hard on his batting. But when it comes to fielding, he is never sitting in the dug-out and never hiding in the dressing room.”

He added, “You can have some difficulties when you’re bowling and you have to react like that. The great thing about that catch was that he went backwards and gave himself time. Often when you see the ball, go you across with hard hands. So seeing that reation in less than a second was great.”

Bishnoi makes crucial move

Bishnoi shared what he was thinking during the catch attempt, recalling Rhodes’ advice: “If you never go, you’ll never know.”

See Also: ‘MS is the most successful captain India will ever have,’ says Gautam Gambhir

“I didn’t realize anything. I was just reacting to the ball. My momentum was going on side but I decided to go the other side to take the catch. There’s a saying from you, ‘If you don’t go, you’ll never know’. That’s what I did,” he added. Bishnoi’s outstanding effort helped LSG restrict GT to 130 runs, ultimately leading to their victory by 33 runs.

Former India pacer Zaheer Khan has referred to Ravi Bishnoi being given the second Super Over in the third T20I between India and Afghanistan as a ‘smart and brave decision’ as well. The final T20I in Bengaluru on Wednesday (January 17) saw two Super Overs after both sides scored 212 runs in their allotted overs. The first Super Over also ended in a tie before Ravi Bishnoi won the game for India by defending 11 runs in the second Super Over as well.

During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Zaheer said: “I believe it was a smart and brave decision because you don’t have that much time in these situations. You have to back your instincts and thinking. So whoever was part of that think-tank, you need to praise them for sure. The second Super Over started very well, (India) started with a six. So it seemed like India would bat Afghanistan out, but that didn’t happen. They lost two wickets and didn’t even play the entire six balls.”

SEE ALSO: Aakash Chopra comments on Virat Kohli’s ideal role in the 2024 T20 World Cup

However, Zaheer Khan further added that defending 11 runs was a tough ask for any bowler as well. He added: “After that, you had to take a big decision, about who would bowl. So that decision was taken very well because batters generally score 12 runs easily as the bowler makes mistakes due to the pressure on him.”

Rohit Sharma scored 11 runs off the first three balls of the second Super Over before India lost two wickets in two deliveries. And, they chose Ravi Bishnoi between Bishnoi and Avesh Khan as their bowling option, and they young leg-spinner did the job. However, Zaheer Khan also applauded Ravi Bishnoi for bowling a match-winning knock over under pressure.

“Ravi Bishnoi came there and the way he started and picked up two wickets, you need to praise him as well, because he was bowling under pressure in a Super Over. He was oozing confidence. He was looking extremely calm. So that was one very good thing and secondly, the entire think-tank for taking that decision,” Zaheer Khan concluded.