IND vs AUS 2023: Ravi Bishnoi is front-runner for India’s T20 World Cup squad, says Aakash Chopra

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes Ravi Bishnoi is front-runner for India’s T20 World Cup squad. Ravi Bishnoi was awarded the Player of the Series for his fine bowling performance against Australia.

The leg-spinner scalped nine wickets in the five matches of the series and ended as the leading wicket-taker of the series. Bishnoi returned with figures of 2-29 in his quota of four overs in the fifth T20I, which India won by six runs to claim the series by 4-1.

The leg-spinner was able to provide crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs and delivered for the team along with Axar Patel, who scalped six wickets in the series.

“Ravi Bishnoi, if you talk about leg-spinners, this was an extremely important series for him, according to me. He is the frontrunner currently, but there will be pressure on him when you get close to the World Cup,” said Chopra on his YouTube Channel.

On the other hand, the renowned commentator reckons leg-spinners like Yuzvendra Chahal, Mayank Markande and Rahul Chahar can also come into contention.

“Ravi Bishnoi, if you talk about leg-spinners, this was an extremely important series for him, according to me. He is the frontrunner currently, but there will be pressure on him when you get close to the World Cup,” said Chopra.

Chopra added that Bishnoi ticked all the right boxes as he bowled effectively with the wet ball and also impressed while bowling in the Powerplay overs.

“There is one thing different in bilateral series. In World Cups, you play an opponent for the second time only in the semi-finals, but in bilaterals, by the fifth game, you know what the bowler does or what the batter does. Despite that, to remain effective, I think Ravi Bishnoi ticked a very important box. Bowling in the powerplay, ticked another very important box. He also bowled with a wet ball. So he has ticked all the boxes,” said Chopra.

Bishnoi has been added to the T20I squad for the upcoming series against South Africa and he will look to continue the good show.

The first T20I between India and South Africa will be played at Kingsmead, Durban on 10th December.