India's young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi said that Shreyas Iyer is expected to make a significant impact in the remaining two games of the ongoing five-match T20I series against Australia.
Iyer, who is the India vice-captain for the last two T20Is, was rested for the first three matches after the World Cup 2023 and now, as the Men in Blue lead 2-1, he is set to return for a chance to help them seal the series against Australia. Iyer had amassed 530 runs in 11 matches at CWC 2023.
Ravi Bishnoi said during the pre-match press conference: “It will make a big impact in our batting lineup. He brings a lot of reputation in T20 cricket and has been in good form in the World Cup. As a senior player his experience will also help us.”
The 23-year-old leg-spinner has taken 6 wickets at an average of 19.66 in three T20Is against Australia. He hailed the stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav for allowing the bowlers the freedom to express themselves and it helped him to do well with the ball.
Bishnoi said, “As a captain, Surya bhai gives you a free hand, he gives you all the right to place the fielders, the length that you want to bowl but you have to deliver in your execution. He has been doing great captaincy in last 2-3 matches.”
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Young Indian players have been given a chance in the T20I series as several senior players were rested after the World Cup 2023, and Bishnoi stressed the importance of grabbing the opportunity and making a mark.
He added, “It is a great opportunity for young players from both the teams because such opportunities come rare when senior players are rested. We have a great chance to win the series. We have a lot of young players so we will look to execute the plans, the focus will be on execution.”
Heavy dew has proved to be a factor in the last few games as India failed to defend 43 runs in the last two overs in the third T20I against Australia, but the Indian bowlers are trying to practice with wet balls.
The young spinner further added, “We try to practice with wet balls. I have done well in the last two matches despite the dewy conditions. I try not to give loose deliveries. If a batsman goes for a shot, then it’s okay, but if I bowl loose balls, that is not acceptable to me. I am happy with my bowling and I will try and win the series for India.”
Bishnoi signed off by saying, “I learnt a lot. International cricket is the ultimate aim for everyone and it was my dream too. The atmosphere is different. In IPL, players get divided in franchises. Other players from different countries are also part of the team but here you play for the country so there are a lot of expectations.”
(With PTI Inputs)
