What Went Wrong For Ravi Bishnoi In IND Vs ENG 2nd T20I? Former PBKS Coach Explains

Ravi Bishnoi had a forgettable game [Source: AFP]

Team India succumbed to yet another defeat on their European tour, this time to England in the second T20I of the five-match series in Manchester. Defending 191 runs for a win, Indian bowlers failed to contain Jacob Bethell’s onslaught at Old Trafford on Saturday, July 4. 

Ravi Bishnoi, in particular, leaked 60 runs from his four wicketless overs in the game. One of those overs cost 29 runs for Team India as England blazed towards a comprehensive four-wicket win with six balls to spare.

Former Punjab Kings coach and ex-India opener Wasim Jaffer weighed in on Bishnoi’s difficult outing, explaining where he believed the leg-spinner went wrong. 

Wasim Jaffer urges Ravi Bishnoi to make “changes” to his game

Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer believes that it is relatively “easier” for batters to face Ravi Bishnoi, especially after getting used to his leg-spin. Jaffer added that Bishnoi's pace makes it tough for him to generate as much turn as one would expect from a lead spinner. 

Also Read- Shreyas Iyer Openly Blames Ravi Bishnoi For His 3rd Loss As India Captain

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former Punjab Kings coach said, “I mean, I feel that once batters get used to Ravi Bishnoi, it becomes easier to face him. He bowls at almost 100 km/h, and at that pace, his leg-spin doesn’t turn a great deal. He also bowls the googly, but it seems that batters have started to figure out how to play him.”

Jaffer also added that Bishnoi hardly gets an opportunity for the Rajasthan Royals franchise in the IPL. Compatible to his claims, Bishnoi played just nine out of 16 Royals games in the recently concluded IPL 2026 season.

The former opener advised the young Indian spinner to make a “few changes” to his game to stand out among the rest. The cricketer-turned-coach is of the opinion that the BCCI selection committee already has plenty of quality spin options to choose from domestic and IPL cricket.

He added, “We saw this in the IPL as well. Rajasthan Royals didn’t play him much. They gave him opportunities in the initial matches, and he did reasonably well, but after that they left him out and played Yash Raj Punja instead. So, I think Ravi Bishnoi needs to make a few changes to his game if he wants to remain successful. Otherwise, if he continues to bowl at the same pace and batters get accustomed to him, it becomes quite easy for them to face him.”

Wasim Jaffer further stated, “Looking at the IPL, India has plenty of bowling options. Kuldeep Yadav isn’t part of this team. We also saw Shivang Kumar perform well for Sunrisers, so there are alternatives available. It’s not as if India doesn’t have options.”

Ravi Bishnoi claims unwanted record in India vs England 2nd T20I

The Indian leg-spinner conceded 29 runs off his final over. The mayhem caused by Jacob Bethell in the 17th over of the England run chase heavily tilted the tide in favour of the hosts.

The cricketer delivered two backfoot no-balls in the over, and their free-hits were dispatched for huge sixes by ‘Player of the Match’ Bethell.

Interestingly, Bishnoi has now conceded the third most expensive over by any Indian bowler in a T20I game. With Arshdeep Singh also leaking 27 runs off his single over earlier in the match, Team India failed to defend 191 runs against England. 

India to face England at Trent Bridge in crucial game

With three losses on the trot, including two in Ireland last week, Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy tenure for Team India has started off on a torrid note. Trailing 0-1 in the five-match series against England, the two sides will now take on each other at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

The match will be played on Tuesday, July 7, and the action will commence from 10:00 PM IST onwards.

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