Rohit explains Bishnoi’s selection in 1st T20I: We see something different in him

Rohit Sharma, after India’s six-wicket win over West Indies in the first T20I, said that young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi was selected over a seasoned Shreyas Iyer to give the team an extra bowling option. Bishnoi, who picked two wickets for 17 runs, was named the player of the match. 

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Bishnoi’s “variations and skill-sets” and his ability to bowl at any stage gives the team a lot of options to rotate the bowlers, said Rohit Sharma.

The 21-year-old made his debut for India against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Wednesday.

“Bishnoi is a very talented guy which is why we drafted him into the squad straightaway. We see something different in him. He’s got a lot of variations and skill-sets with him. He can bowl at any stage and it gives us a lot of options to rotate the other bowlers,” the skipper said.

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He further explained why Bishnoi was selected over Shreyas Iyer. 

“Very happy with his first game for India and he’s got a bright future and it’s just about us now on how we use him. Someone like Shreyas Iyer is sitting out, very hard on him not making it to playing XI, but we needed someone to bowl in the middle which is why we couldn’t get him in,” the skipper said.

Sharma, who set the tone of the chase with a 19-ball 40, further added that Shreyas was informed about the team’s decision, which was taken keeping the T20 World Cup in mind.

“It’s always nice with that kind of competition going around and a lot of the guys are missing out as well. I’m happy to have that kind of challenges rather than not having players available and not in form. We were very clear with Shreyas and we told him we want that option going into the World Cup. Guys do understand what the team wants and all these guys are professionals and they do understand that team comes first.”

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India lost a few quick wickets in the middle before Suryakumar Yadav (34 not out) and Venkatesh Iyer (24 not out) completed the 158-run chase. 

“Should have finished that off. We wanted to be a bit clinical in the end. We’re trying to do stuff in the middle. It didn’t work out, but happy with the win. We can take a lot of confidence.