Former India leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has strongly criticised Ravi Bishnoi following India’s four-wicket defeat to England in the second T20I at Old Trafford, Manchester. The veteran believes Bishnoi’s recurring no-ball problem is a serious technical flaw that requires immediate attention, especially for a spinner who regularly competes in T20 cricket.
India appeared to be in control while defending 191, with England needing 49 runs from the final four overs. However, the match turned dramatically in the 17th over when Bishnoi leaked 29 runs. The leg-spinner bowled two back-foot no-balls, handing England two free hits, both of which were dispatched for six. The costly over shifted the momentum completely, allowing the hosts to complete the chase with four wickets in hand and one over to spare.
Speaking to Revsportz after the match, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan did not hold back in his assessment of Bishnoi’s discipline with the ball. “It’s a crime for a spinner to be bowling a no-ball, and more so in modern-day cricket when they’re playing a lot of T20 cricket. The first thing that a coach needs to check is the alignment of the bowler. I think Ravi Bishnoi is not a conventional leg-spinner to begin with,” he said.
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The former India spinner also pointed towards India’s spin-bowling coach, Sairaj Bahutule, saying technical corrections should have been made much earlier. According to Sivaramakrishnan, improving Bishnoi’s alignment and back-foot landing could significantly reduce the risk of overstepping.
“Spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule should have checked his alignment and his back-foot landing. As a coach, I would place cones on the return crease. Every time he stamps the cone, he immediately knows it’s a no-ball. There’s no point bowling illegal deliveries because, no matter how good the ball is, it cannot get you a wicket,” he explained.
Bishnoi endured one of the toughest outings of his T20I career, finishing with figures of 0/60 from four overs. Sivaramakrishnan believes the issue has become a habit rather than an isolated mistake and suggested that India should consider resting the leg-spinner until he corrects his bowling mechanics.
“If he does play the next game, I would tell Sairaj Bahutule to make him run much straighter. This has become a habit and nobody has corrected Ravi Bishnoi. It will be virtually impossible to fix it in just a couple of days. I would suggest that he be rested and another bowling option be tried,” he added.
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Sivaramakrishnan concluded that changing Bishnoi’s run-up and action will require time, patience and consistent technical work. Despite the recent setback, Bishnoi’s overall T20I record remains impressive, with 64 wickets in 46 matches at an average of 20.45 and an economy rate of 7.58, highlighting the potential he still possesses if he can eliminate his costly no-ball problem.
