Indian leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi has made it clear that he is not looking at his latest national-team selection as a comeback story. Instead, the 24-year-old wants to establish himself as a long-term member of India’s white-ball setup after enduring a frustrating period on the sidelines. Having missed out on selection for three consecutive T20 World Cup campaigns, Bishnoi is now focused on making the most of the opportunities that lie ahead.
The selectors have included Bishnoi in India’s squads for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, as well as the Asian Games 2026. The selection marks an important chapter in his career, considering he has not represented India since January 28, 2026, when he featured in a T20I against New Zealand. With competition for spin-bowling spots intensifying, Bishnoi will have to battle with the likes of Varun Chakaravarthy, while Axar Patel and Washington Sundar also remain key options in India’s plans.
Speaking to PTI, Ravi Bishnoi opened up about the disappointment of repeatedly missing out on World Cup squads. The Rajasthan-born spinner admitted that representing India at a World Cup and lifting the trophy is a dream shared by every cricketer. However, he stressed that dwelling on missed opportunities would serve little purpose and that his focus remains firmly on the future.
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“It is everyone’s dream to play in the World Cup and win it. It is my dream too. Even though I have missed the World Cups, I still have opportunities ahead. I don’t want to miss them this time. Whenever I get a chance, I want to make it count,” Ravi Bishnoi said.
The leg-spinner also showed maturity in acknowledging that the players selected ahead of him performed exceptionally well. India went on to win those tournaments, and Bishnoi emphasised that team success always comes before individual disappointment. Despite not being a regular fixture in the national side, Bishnoi’s T20I record speaks for itself. In 44 matches, he has claimed 64 wickets at an impressive average of 19.52 while maintaining an economy rate of 7.41. His consistency and wicket-taking ability have made him one of India’s most promising spin bowlers in the shortest format.
Bishnoi credited his strong support system, particularly his parents and longtime coach Shahrukh, for helping him navigate challenging phases of his career. According to the spinner, setbacks are inevitable in professional sport, but the key is to move on quickly and remain prepared for the next opportunity. “You know how competitive Indian cricket is right now. My only goal is to be ready whenever I get a chance and deliver. There should be no regrets that I wasn’t prepared,” he explained.
The spinner admitted that missing a home T20 World Cup was difficult to accept, but he believes adversity is part of an athlete’s journey. He added that staying disappointed for too long can negatively impact performance and confidence, making mental resilience just as important as skill.
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Bishnoi’s journey back into the national setup has been far from straightforward. During IPL 2026, he endured a difficult campaign and spent much of the second half of the tournament on the bench, with young spinner Yash Raj Punja preferred in the playing XI. Many believed that it could affect his international prospects.
However, the selectors continued to back his talent and potential. In a notable decision, Bishnoi was chosen for the Ireland and England tours ahead of Kuldeep Yadav, underscoring the team management’s continued faith in his abilities. Having previously reached the No. 1 spot in the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings in December 2023, Bishnoi now has a golden opportunity to re-establish himself and push for a permanent place in India’s plans for future ICC events.
