PHOTO: SportzPics

Kings XI Punjab came out on the wrong side of the result in their opening encounter of the 2020 Dream11 Indian Premier League, losing to Delhi Capitals in the Super Over. KL Rahul and co. started their season with a defeat, but nevertheless there were plenty of positives to take for Kings XI Punjab from that opening game.

Mohammed Shami picked up his best figures in IPL history, claiming 3/15 and caused all sorts of problems with his bounce and swing to the Delhi Capitals top-order. On the batting front, Mayank Agarwal was phenomenal in the chase, getting his team to within striking distance of the win on Sunday. However, one performance that may have gone a little under the radar was that of teenage sensation Ravi Bishnoi, who performed with great calmness and confidence on his IPL debut.

Bishnoi ended with figures of 1/22 despite bowling all his overs outside the powerplay, and bowling two intimidating Team India regulars in Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant. The leggie bowled quicker through the air and kept a tight stump to stump line for the better part of his spell, not allowing the batsmen to free their arms.

“I was a bit nervous in the beginning, but it was more excitement than nervousness for me to make my debut. I just wanted to do well and help my team win,” said Ravi Bishnoi to KXIP.in after the game.

The youngster caught the eye of most last night, not only for his thrifty spell but also for the way he picked up the wicket of a well-set Rishabh Pant. Having conceded a four to the southpaw just a ball earlier, Bishnoi was gutsy enough to persist with a fuller length, pitching the ball up to Pant who attempted to free his arms again, but misread the googly to lose his bearings.

“Bowling against Pant, there was no set plan or strategy in place, I just kept sticking to the basics, didn’t try another out of the box. Just kept bowling how I normally would,” explained Bishnoi after the game.

Speaking in an earlier interview to KXIP.in, Bishnoi had explained how he tries to play with the mind of the batsmen, using all his variations to outfox them. “The idea is to try and play with the mind of the batsman, deceive him with my variations. I don’t want to give the batsman what he expects. If I start off with two-three leg breaks, then the batsman is ready for those types of deliveries, that’s when I bowl the googly,” Bishnoi had said then.

The plan worked for the youngster against Delhi Capitals as he managed to make a mark on his IPL debut. Kings XI Punjab fans would hope this is just the start of an amazing tournament ahead for ever promising Ravi Bishnoi.