The intrigue surrounding Ravi Bishnoi’s bowling lies not in the variety of deliveries he employs, such as sliders and googlies, but rather in his unique angles and the speed at which he delivers the ball.
When you strip away the complexities he introduces, his actual deliveries are straightforward—they typically slide in with a skid or bounce sharply. However, it is the manner in which he approaches the bowling crease that adds to the deception. He moves to his left, then zigzags back to the right, and propels himself forward with speed, reminiscent of a young boy darting in various directions to avoid being caught after pilfering a mango from a tree. This movement forces the batsman to assess both the pace and the bounce of the ball.
Bishnoi made his entrance during the eleventh over of the Gujarat Titans’ chase. His first victim was Sai Sudharsan, who attempted a pull shot but misjudged the line, resulting in a mishit.
In his next over, he dismissed two more batsmen. Glenn Phillips fell to the very first delivery of the thirteenth over, pulling the ball to long-on. The ball arrived faster than he expected, forcing him to adjust his shot. Just two balls later, Washington Sundar was caught out by the line of the ball. He recognized the googly and its length—ideal for a slog sweep—but it turned more sharply than he anticipated from the leg-stump line, leading to another top-edge dismissal.
In the fifteenth over, left-hander Rahul Tewatia managed to hit a six off him with a reverse sweep. However, on the next delivery—a slider that skidded off the pitch—Tewatia attempted a cut shot, resulting in an edge to the wicketkeeper due to the unexpected speed.
Four wickets in total. The angles. The rapid pace. The metaphorical mango still tucked away as his prize.
Nearby, there’s a tea stall next to the Arjun statue outside SMS Stadium in Jaipur, a place that holds significance for Ravi Bishnoi. He once sat there in tears, having just taken five wickets and scored a century in a district tournament, yet his name was absent from the roster of 150 players selected for the Rajasthan Under-19 trials. His brother encouraged him to attend anyway, saying, “I will speak to someone.” Despite their efforts, they were initially turned away. Bishnoi sat by the statue, crying until a call from within the gates allowed him entry.
This moment marked the beginning of his journey.
Jodhpur is not renowned for producing cricketers for India, and during Bishnoi’s upbringing, there were none. The Spartans Cricket Academy, where he trained, was established on a modest plot of land. The coaches and players constructed the pitch themselves under the sweltering Rajasthan sun. “People thought we were crazy,” Bishnoi remarked to Sports Yaari. “What were we doing in such heat?”
However, the boys were not foolish; they understood that in Jodhpur, opportunities were scarce, and nobody would come looking for them.
“Looking back, it feels great,” he said, reflecting on his journey. “From there to here.” He added, “It’s not just about me—the entire academy is growing.” Dhruv Jurel and others have come through the same academy, transforming a place once deemed absurd into a nurturing ground for talent.
With the Under-19 World Cup, Bishnoi emerged as the leading wicket-taker. His performance caught the attention of the IPL, leading to the Lucknow Super Giants signing him before the auction began, alongside notable players like KL Rahul and Marcus Stoinis. From sitting at the tea stall outside SMS Stadium to securing a contract with a franchise, his rise has been notable.
However, achieving success is just the first hurdle; the true challenge lies in sustaining it.
“Reaching the top is easy,” Bishnoi explained to Gamechangers. “But maintaining your position is the hard part. It’s the toughest challenge, in my opinion.” He elaborated that while everyone possesses skill at that level, it is often the mentally stronger individuals who endure.
A few years back, Anil Kumble advised Bishnoi to disregard any criticism about his bowling style—whether his leg breaks lacked sufficient turn or if his flight was unconventional. “Just trust your strengths and keep going,” Kumble told him.
Bishnoi has not only adhered to this advice but has also expanded upon it. As batsmen have upgraded their preparation, he is now focusing on developing his leg break, which he had previously utilized sparingly. “It’s time to work on my leg spin,” he stated, recognizing the effort required. “Leg spin takes a lot of time to master, and you have to put in significant hard work.”
The Spartans academy in Jodhpur now boasts a second ground. The boys who once toiled to create the first pitch under the relentless heat are now scattered across various IPL teams. The world that once labeled them as mad has grown silent.
Ravi Bishnoi continues to refine his leg break. Last night, he claimed four wickets, showcasing the angles, the blur, and the speed that often catches batsmen off guard. The metaphorical mango remains securely in his pocket.
“Reaching the top is easy,” he reiterated. “But staying there? That’s the toughest job.”
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