Rising through the ranks, Kings XI Punjab’s (KXIP) young leg-spinner – Ravi Bishnoi is delighted to train under legendary Anil Kumble in Dubai. He has been undergoing some rigorous practice ahead of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), to yield desired results during his maiden IPL edition.
The wrist-spinner Bishnoi asserted that it was an unbelievable moment for him to get lessons from celebrated cricketer — and KXIP chief coach Kumble whom he had seen on television during his younger days.
“I never thought that someday I will get a chance to work with the legend because I have only seen him on television,” Bishnoi was quoted as saying by Times of India.
Moreover, Bishnoi considers himself lucky to train under the tutelage of Kumble. He believes it is a great opportunity for him to learn as much as possible from his coach. Besides, it has been nearly two weeks since Bishnoi had been trying to pick Kumble’s brain.
“I’m really lucky I have him as the head coach of our team. It is a big opportunity for me and I am trying to pick his brain as much as I can,” he added.
Ravi Bishnoi working hard to master flipper:
Ravi Bishnoi himself considers that there is a similarity between him and Kumble. Like his mentor, Bishnoi bowls a bit quick through the air – and is aiming to improve on his flipper. He believes it will take him at least two months to make most of the flipper, which is known for keeping deceptively low – to cause more trouble to a batsman.
“Now, that I have spent some time with Kumble sir, I can relate so much to him. We both are the same kind of bowlers. Like Anil sir, I too bowl quick. One thing that we are working on is my flipper and hopefully, in the next couple of months I will have mastery over it too,” Bishnoi further said.
Earlier, considering the base price of 20 lakh, during the December 2019 IPL Players’ Auction, a bidding war between KXIP and Mumbai Indians suggested how Bishnoi was seen as an outstanding youngster to cater the demands.
However, following meticulous planning, KXIP management managed to avail his services in INR two crore as Kumble himself had an eye on him.
Earlier, with each day, Ravi Bishnoi has shown some promise in the domestic fold – and there are a lot of expectations on him given to the ability of Bishnoi to pick wickets at regular intervals.
Under different circumstances, Bishnoi is keen to learn the niceties of delivering under pressure by comprehending the batsmen.
“I am trying to learn how to read batsmen during a match and how to adjust to match pressure and different situations from him,” Ravi Bishnoi added.
Ravi Bishnoi excited to rub shoulders with seniors in KXIP side:
Bishnoi, who represented India A recently believes it will be a great learning curve from him to share the dressing room with marquee players of KXIP. He is chuffed to play alongside KL Rahul, Mohammad Shami and Windies swashbuckling batsman, Chris Gayle to name a few.
“It will be a great learning process. I will have the opportunity to learn so many things from senior players which will help me to become a better cricketer. I am so excited that I have got a platform like the IPL to prove myself and rub shoulders with some of the greats of the game,” Bishnoi said.
The Jodhpur-born Bishnoi took the world by storm after his remarkable show during the 2020 Under-19 World Cup held in South Africa.
In six fixtures, the promising spinner has snared 17 wickets including a four-wicket haul in the grand finale against Bangladesh. He went on to finish the bowling charts of top during the U-19 World Cup.
Unfortunately, the coronavirus-triggered lockdown was imposed in India few weeks after Bishnoi’s return to India.
Bishnoi, who felt frustrated at times, further revealed how he kept himself fit during the lockdown when he was eager to go out and roll over his bowling arm. He has used gas cylinders and stones to maintain his shape amid COVID-19 challenges.
“It was quite challenging so my sole focus was on fitness, which too was not easy as I don’t have enough equipment at home, or the space. I used LPG cylinders and stones as weights,” Ravi Bishnoi stated.
On representing Rajasthan, Ravi Bishnoi made his Twenty20 debut in 2018-19 Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy back in February 2019 before appearing in Vijay Hazare Trophy and India A during 2019-20 edition of Deodhar Trophy.
So far, Ravi Bishnoi has featured in six List-A and as many T20s matches since 2019 in which he had bagged 14 wickets. He would be keen to make a mark with a ball.
The impending edition will commence from September 19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).