The Indian bowlers were under no pressure after India posted a gigantic total of 297/6 on the board against hapless Bangladesh bowlers at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on October 12. However, captain Suryakumar Yadav did not want his bowlers to be complacent and go for plenty of boundaries. Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi who got his first match of the three-T20I series said that Suryakumar told the team to assume they were defending a target around 160-170.
"When we walked into bowl, Suryakumar Yadav told us that we were defending 160-170 and not 300 as it would help us prepare for matches later on which will have such scores. It was a good surface to bat on but that's the mentality we had," Bishnoi said.
Bishnoi bags 3 wickets
Bishnoi was the pick of the bowlers in Hyderabad claiming three wickets including skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das. The former world's no.1 T20I bowler bowled a maiden and conceded 30 runs from his quota of four overs. He was asked by former cricketer-turned-broadcaster Saba Karim on the difference between team's approach compared to others.
"This is the new generation, and you can see what the difference is. 298 runs was the target and look how we attacked and bowled them out for 160s. The approach is when you are on the top, be on the top," the 24-year-old said.
"With this Indian team, we have been told by the management that every day is a new day. Once yesterday's match is done it is done, we cannot live with it," he further added.
Indian bowlers succeeded in not letting Bangladesh batters dominate. Despite Towhid Hridoy’s unbeaten 42-ball 63, the visitors managed to post 164/7 and lost the match by 133 runs.
Bishnoi's major feat
Bishnoi also became the joint second-fastest Indian bowler to 50 T20I wickets. He achieved the feat in his 33rd innings and equalled left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. He surpassed out-of-favour leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal who reached the milestone from 34 innings. The top spot is occupied by left-arm chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav who took 29 innings to complete 50 T20I wickets.
