IND vs AUS, 4th T20I: Addition of Shreyas Iyer is a big bonus for India, says Ravi Bishnoi
Shreyas Iyer, who scored 530 runs for the 2023 India ODI World Cup, was rested for the first three T20Is against Australia.
Raipur: Shreyas Iyer has a huge reputation as a T20 batsman and is ready to make a big impact in the remaining two matches of the five-match series, young Indian leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi said on Friday. Designated vice-captain Iyer will be back in action after being rested for the first three matches as India get another chance to seal the series from a 2-1 lead.
“It will have a big impact on our batting line-up,” Bishnoi told reporters at the pre-match press conference. Shreyas amassed 530 runs in 11 matches of the recent ODI World Cup. “He has a lot of reputation in T20 cricket and was in good form in the World Cup. As a senior player, his experience will also help us.”
The 23-year-old legspinner was the bowlers’ favorite in the series after taking six wickets at 7.66pm. Bishnoi credited this to his skipper Suryakumar Yadav for giving the bowlers a “free hand”. “As a captain, Surya bhai gives you a free hand, he gives you every right to place the fielders, the length you want to bowl but you have to deliver in your execution,” Bishnoi said. “He has had a great captaincy in the last 2-3 games.”
Bishnoi made his India debut against West Indies in a T20 match in February last year and has played in 19 T20Is so far, taking 31 wickets. With some senior players rested, the Indian team has a lot of young players and Bishnoi said it is important to seize the opportunity and make a mark.
“It is a great opportunity for young players from both teams as such opportunities rarely arise when senior players are rested. We have a great chance to win the series,” he said. “We have a lot of young players, so we will try to implement the plans, the emphasis will be on execution.”
Heavy dew has proven to be a factor in the last few matches with bowlers finding it difficult to grip the ball. India failed to defend 43 runs in the last two overs in the third T20I as Glenn Maxwell took the bowlers to the cleaners to steer Australia to a five-wicket win in Guwahati.
“We try to practice with wet bowls. Despite the dewy conditions, I performed well in the last two races. I try not to give separate deliveries. If a batsman goes to shoot, that’s fine, but if I bowl loose balls, that’s not acceptable to me,” he said.
“I am happy with my bowling and I will try to win the series for India.”. The Rajasthan-born spinner, who was the leading wicket-taker in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup, has played four seasons of IPL, taking 53 wickets at an average of 27.26, playing for Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants .
“I have learned a lot. International cricket is the ultimate goal for everyone and it was my dream too. The atmosphere is different. In IPL, players are divided into franchises,” he said. “Other players from different countries are also part of it team, but here you play for the country, so there are a lot of expectations.”