‘He is a better fielder than..’ – Former India skipper picks his frontline spinner for India in T20I against Afghanistan

The legendary former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has picked his India’s primary spinner for the T20 World Cup 2024 ahead of the three-match series against Afghanistan. As India gears up to face Afghanistan in its last T20I assignment before the T20 World Cup, a multitude of Indian Premier League (IPL) stars is poised to present a selection challenge in the series opener at Mohali on Thursday.

The legendary batter Virat Kohli’s absence from the series opener, owing to personal reasons, has created an opportunity for Rohit Sharma and the team to include a young player in the playing XI. Making a return to the shortest format after a hiatus of 14 months, captain Rohit Sharma will open the innings alongside youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal in the curtain-raiser against Afghanistan at Mohali.

The former India captain Virat Kohli is likely to be replaced by Shubman Gill at No.3, while the vacant wicketkeeper spot is expected to see competition between Sanju Samson and Jeetesh Sharma. India’s spin-bowling attack could be led by Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, with the team also having the options of Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi at their disposal.

Ravi Bishnoi for me: Sunil Gavaskar

Elevating his status through a string of commendable performances, spinner Bishnoi has bolstered his candidacy in the T20 World Cup year. Discussing India’s spin-bowling options for the T20 World Cup, former captain Gavaskar elucidated the reasons why young Bishnoi holds an advantage over his peers. The former India captain Gavaskar further emphasized that Bishnoi has the potential to contribute valuable cameos with the bat while batting in the lower order for Team India.

“Ravi Bishnoi for me because apart from bowling, he is a very good fielder. He is a better fielder than Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. He can bat as well, the way he applied his brains and won his side the match with his calmness in the last IPL. I feel he and Avesh Khan won their side the match against RCB. So, Ravi Bishnoi for me,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.