IND vs WI Live: Ravi Bishnoi imitates Shaheen Afridi celebration – India’s young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi made an impressive debut against West Indies, conceding just 17 runs in exchange for two wickets. While he did impress the selectors who were present at the Eden Gardens for the 1st T20, it was his celebration that caught the eyes. With both hands stretched, he imitated Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi. Follow IND vs WI 1st T20 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Ravi Bishnoi did struggle with the line, having difficulty in understanding the pitch as it did offer some turn. With fast googlies at nearly 100kmph, Ravi Bishnoi continuously troubled big-hitting West Indies batsmen.
IND vs WI Live: Ravi Bishnoi makes impressive T20I debut, imitates iconic Shaheen Afridi CELEBRATION – See pics
“I was looking to keep it stump to stump because they have power and if they can free their arms they can hit the ball well. There is some dew, and I think the pitch will get better for batting with the dew,” Ravi Bishnoi said at the innings break.
IND vs WI Live: Ravi Bishnoi makes impressive T20I debut, imitates iconic Shaheen Afridi CELEBRATION – See pics
In his four-over quota, he conceded just 17 runs which included 17 dot balls and just a four. Those 17 runs also included an overthrow boundary and five byes. It was his six wide balls that kept his overs longer but with Roston Chase and Rovmann Powell’s wickets, he made amends. It was also the third-best bowling figure on the T20I debut.
Best figures for an Indian spinner on T20I debut
4/21 – Pragyan Ojha vs Bangladesh, Nottingham 2009
3/17 – Axar Patel vs Zimbabwe, Harare 2015
2/17 – Ravi Bishnoi vs WI, Kolkata 2022
IND vs WI Live: Ravi Bishnoi makes impressive T20I debut, imitates iconic Shaheen Afridi CELEBRATION – See pics
With Roston Chase’s wicket, Ravi Bishnoi brought out the iconic Shaheen Afridi celebration with both hands stretched out pointing towards the opposite ends. It was a routine in India’s crushing 10-wicket loss to Pakistan in the T20 World Cup when Afridi ran through India’s top-order, taking three wickets.
IND vs WI Live: Ravi Bishnoi makes impressive T20I debut, imitates iconic Shaheen Afridi CELEBRATION – See pics
Ravi Bishnoi didn’t run through West Indies lineup. But that he kept the big-hitting Kieron Pollard & Co silent and looked a real threat every time he bowled, it would keep him in selectors’ minds.
Too much excitement 👀 #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/n256E3PgHY
— Himalayan Guy (@RealHimalayaGuy) February 16, 2022
However, his debut was not without any drama. It was in the 7th over that Nicholas Pooran tried to hammer Yuzvendra Chahal over the long-off. But, he failed to connect it properly, giving away a catch with the fielder Ravi Bishnoi all set for a comfortable catch. Bishnoi, who has been known as an excellent catcher, did well to take the catch but he made a BIG MISTAKE — he stepped on the boundary rope. Instead of a catch, Pooran got a six.
IND vs WI Live: Ravi Bishnoi makes impressive T20I debut, imitates iconic Shaheen Afridi CELEBRATION – See pics