Sharma predicts bright future for leggie Bishnoi
Youngster will look to build on impressive debut in second T20I versus Windies today
KOLKATA: Young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi’s “variations and skill-sets” and his ability to bowl at any stage gives the team a lot of options to rotate the bowlers, said India skipper Rohit Sharma on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old from Jodhpur made a dream debut for India, snapping two wickets for 17 runs in his full quota of four overs, a performance which earned him the Player of the Match Award in a six-wicket win over the West Indies in the first T20I here.
“Bishnoi is a very talented guy, which is why we drafted him into the squad straightaway. We see something different in him. He’s got a lot of variations and skill-sets with him. He can bowl at any stage and it gives us a lot of options to rotate the other bowlers,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation.
“Very happy with his first game for India and he’s got a bright future and it’s just about us now on how we use him.”
Rohit also tried to reach out to Shreyas Iyer, who couldn’t be accommodated in the playing XI despite being in good form.
“Someone like Shreyas Iyer is sitting out, very hard on him not making it to playing XI, but we needed someone to bowl in the middle which is why we couldn’t get him in,” the skipper said.
“It’s always nice with that kind of competition going around and a lot of the guys are missing out as well. I’m happy to have those kind of challenges rather than not having players available and not in form.
“We were very clear with Shreyas and we told him we want that option going into the World Cup. Guys do understand what the team wants and all these guys are professionals and they do understand that team comes first.”
Chasing 158 to win, Rohit gave India a flying start with a 19-ball 40 but India lost a few quick wickets before Suryakumar Yadav (34 not out) and Venkatesh Iyer (24 not out) took them home.
“Should have finished that off. We wanted to be a bit clinical in the end. We’re trying to do stuff in the middle. It didn’t work out, but happy with the win. We can take a lot of confidence. Restricting a great unit like that to 157 was a great effort by the bowlers. With the bat we were not clinical, but we can take learnings,” Rohit added.
West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard admitted that they were 18-20 runs short.
“Between overs 6-15, we only scored 46 in 9 overs and if we had 18-20 more runs during that phase it would have been competitive. After six overs they were in front, but I thought the bowlers and fielders did really well to pull things back,” he said.
“Different times call for different things, they have quality bowlers and we have to play it as we see it. The guys are working hard to get things right and again it’s just a matter of setting it up properly. The ball was wet and the bowlers were bowling high full tosses and I wanted them to have a fair share to execute. Having said that, it was a very, very good game of cricket,” he added.
Bishnoi was delighted at receiving the Player of the Match award.
“It’s everyone’s dream to play for India and I was feeling good. West Indies is one of the best T20 teams and I got the chance to play against them. I’ll try to cut down the wides next match,” said the youngster.
“My strength is my length. (on dew) There wasn’t much dew in our innings. I haven’t played a match with a lot of dew so far, but it does affect you. We practice for it though. I didn’t think I would get Man of the Match in my very first match, it’s a dream come true.”
India will take on the West Indies in the second T20I on Friday.
BCCI to allow 20,000 odd spectators for 3rd T20I KOLKATA:
The BCCI has decided to allow 20,000 spectators, mostly ticket holding members of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) to watch the third and final T20I between India and West Indies on February 20.
“As discussed with other office bearers, as per your request, you can open up for the last T20 match against West Indies at Eden,” BCCI president Sourav Ganguly wrote in an e-mail to CAB chief Avishek Dalmiya.
With this only the complimentary tickets will be issued by CAB to its members and affiliated units.
“We are extremely thankful to BCCI for their kind consideration. This consent of the Board would help CAB meet its obligations to Life Associate, Annual and honorary members for the 20th February match,” Dalmiya said.
The BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had earlier in an interview to PTI, said that BCCI won’t allow spectators as they don’t want any health risk for the players. Dalmiya had then requested the Board to allow entry of fans. 70 per cent spectators were allowed to attend the India-New Zealand T20I in November last year.