India’s young leggie Ravi Bishnoi suffered a cut below his left eye while attempting a catch off his own bowling during the 1st T20I of the tour against Sri Lanka on July 28. Bishnoi got medical attention on the field as play was stopped for a few minutes. India were relatively ahead of Sri Lanka in the game and there were a few bowling options available too. But Bishnoi got his face taped-up and got ready to bowl again.
The incident took place in the 16th over. On the first ball, Bishnoi bowled a googly which wasn't picked by Kamindu Mendis. After the leading edge, Bishnoi dived to his right on followthrough to take a one-handed catch. But he could not complete the catch. The ball bounced on the ground and hit his face below the left eye.
He held his face as he was bleeding. The physio rushed to his aide. Head coach Gautam Gambhir was concerned about the leg-spinner and players surrounded him as he received medical attention. After he got taped-up, he was motivated by his teammates who sported a smile as the 23-year-old got back on his feet.
Bishnoi gets skipper’s wicket
On the next two balls, he was hit for boundaries by Kamindu. But he made up for it by getting the wicket of Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka on the last ball of his fourth over. Asalanka played the slogsweep but the top-edge carried to Yashasvi Jaiswal at deep square leg. Asalanka departed for a two-ball duck. He became Bishnoi’s only victim of the evening. He conceded 37 runs from his quota of overs.
Sri Lanka suffered a batting collapse in the last six overs. From 140/1 in 14 overs, the hosts were bowled out for 170 in 19.2 overs. Opener Pathum Nissanka's 48-ball 79 went in vain as Sri Lanka lost by 43 runs.
Will Bishnoi be rested?
It will be interesting to see if Bishnoi plays in the second T20I on July 28. India don't have another leg-spinner in their lineup barring opener Jaiswal. Washington Sundar may replace him in the side but he is an off-spinner.
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