It’s a narrative of two spinners, both team-mates in the Indian squad but adversaries in the IPL. With Lucknow Super Giants taking on Rajasthan Royals in Lucknow on Saturday, all eyes will be on Ravi Bishnoi and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Both are leg-spinners, but they have different styles. They are both competing for the role of the third spinner in India’s T20 World Cup squad. With Kuldeep Yadav’s position all but confirmed as the primary spinner and Ravindra Jadeja to be the spin-bowling all-rounder, the question remains, who will be the third tweaker?
Bishnoi came in as Chahal’s replacement in the Indian team and justified his selection with an impressive performance, claiming 18 wickets in 11 games last year at an exceptional economy rate of 7.20. Until the start of the IPL, Bishnoi was widely considered the front-runner for the spinner’s role in the World Cup squad. However, midway through the IPL, the situation has undergone a dramatic change. Bishnoi is no longer considered an automatic option, primarily because of his disappointing performance this season, having taken only five wickets in eight matches. He has fallen short of expectations.
Meanwhile, Chahal, much like in previous seasons, is once again excelling in the IPL. He has taken 13 wickets in eight games. His journey from being on the sideline to returning to contention has been a roller-coaster ride in recent months. This is not an unfamiliar territory for Chahal. In 2022, he reclaimed his spot and earned a place in the World Cup squad after an outstanding IPL season. He knows exactly how to overcome challenges and regain his position. The 33-year-old is putting forth his utmost effort to secure a spot in the World Cup team.
A significant factor behind RR’s success this season has been Chahal, who has emerged as their primary weapon in the middle overs. However, Bishnoi’s performance for LSG has been lackluster, leaving much to be desired. With the squad set to be announced in a few days’ time, all Bishnoi will be hoping for is a good outing that could somehow improve his chances, and he will be hoping to achieve that against the in-form RR team.
Royals appear formidable this season, having lost only one game thus far, whereas LSG’s performance has been inconsistent. The two teams have met only four times in the IPL, with RR holding a 3-1 advantage in head-to-head encounters. With the match set in a venue featuring spacious boundaries, both Chahal and Bishnoi are expected to play key roles in the LSG-RR game. As they vie to outperform each other, they aim to make a compelling case to the selectors ahead of the World Cup squad announcement.
The clash between LSG and RR takes center stage, with the Bishnoi-Chahal duel adding an intriguing subplot to the narrative.