IPL 2021: Anil Kumble reveals the reason for Ravi Bishnoi not playing the first four matches

Young right-arm leg-spin bowler Ravi Bishnoi was a revelation for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), hosted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The 20-year-old played all the 14 league matches for Punjab the previous year as their main spinner and ended up with 12 wickets under his belt at an economy rate of 7.37 and an average of 31.33.

However, in a surprising turn of events, Bishnoi was excluded from Punjab Kings’ playing XI in their first four matches of IPL 2021 against Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively. Punjab lost three out of their four games, thus, many questions were raised regarding the exclusion of the youngster from the side. 

The leg-spinner finally found a place for himself in the fixture against Mumbai Indians (MI). Playing against the defending champions at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Ravi picked two crucial wickets of Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav. He also conceded just 21 runs in his four overs at an economy rate of 5.2.

PBKS head coach Anil Kumble finally opened up on Ravi Bishnoi’s exclusion in the first four matches saying that the youngster wasn’t at his fluent best when he joined the camp. Kumble revealed that for the past days he was working on some technical aspects with the leg-spinner along with helping him improve his focus and commitment. 

Anil Kumble lauds Ravi Bishnoi

“Bish (Bishnoi) played all the matches in the last season… when he came here, I thought he was not the same bowler we had seen last year. I worked on his run-up and a few other things because he was drifting down the leg side even in practice games. That’s why he didn’t start the tournament earlier,” Anil Kumble said after Punjab’s 9-wicket win in Chennai.

“But, I think, over the last week or so, his commitment, his focus is now sorted; he’s back. It’s wonderful to see him (bowl so well). He’s always a competitor; you can see that. And to pick up a couple of wickets in an important game like this is great,” he added. In their last outing against Mumbai Indians, Punjab registered a win by nine wickets owing to a comprehensive performance in all the facets of the game.

Opining on the same, the 50-year-old said, “Yes, it will give a lot of confidence to all of us (defeating Mumbai); Mayank (Agarwal) and (KL) Rahul putting up that 40-plus partnership and then the Universe Boss (Chris Gayle) and Rahul finishing things off. Overall, really happy that things went well and now we’re looking forward to the next leg in Ahmedabad,” he added.

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