Abhinav Mukund believes Ravi Bishnoi’s dismissal of Josh Philippe was the turning point in India’s fourth T20I against Australia.
After being assigned to bat first in Raipur on Friday, December 1, the Men in Blue set the Aussies a 175-run goal. Ravi Bishnoi then provided the first breakthrough, finishing with figures of 1/17 in four overs as the hosts limited the visitors to 154/7 to record a 20-run triumph and tie the five-match series 3-1 ahead of the final game on Sunday in Bengaluru.
While reviewing the game on Sports 18, Mukund was asked to choose the game’s turning point, given Australia’s slow start, to which he responded:
“I think you gave me the lead there. It was the start – 40 without loss, looked well in control of this game, especially the memories of Travis Head would have possibly haunted every single fan that was there.”
Abhinav Mukund
The former India opener added:
“Travis Head was there, he was looking good. (Josh) Philippe was looking good as well, and the turning point definitely has to be Ravi Bishnoi because he came in the fourth over and every single time he has bowled in the powerplay, he has managed to break a partnership.”
Abhinav Mukund
After Travis Head and Philippe had scored 40 runs in the first three overs, Bishnoi was brought into the attack. With his first delivery, the wristspinner castled the latter, altering the game’s momentum.
Abhinav Mukund slams Josh Philippe for his reckless shot against Ravi Bishnoi
Josh Philippe’s shot selection versus Ravi Bishnoi was questioned by Abhinav Mukund. He stated:
“It’s a horrible shot. Josh Philippe will look back at this shot and think that he planned for the sweep ages ago and it wasn’t a shot he could play against Ravi Bishnoi.”
Abhinav Mukund
The cricketer-turned-commentator believes Bishnoi’s powerplay efforts in the current series will serve him well in the future. He went on to say:
“This is the kind of player that he revels bowling against and for Bishnoi, his strength is hitting the stumps and pads. So just coming in the powerplay and doing the job for Team India in this series is a huge tick mark in terms of Ravi Bishnoi’s skill as a leggie.”
Abhinav Mukund
Ravi Bishnoi secured seven outs at a fair scoring rate of 8.43 in the initial four T20Is. All right-handers, four fell during the powerplay rounds.
