Growing up, Bishnoi's love for cricket began in secret
Ravi Bisnoi, born in the thriving city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, on September 5, 2000, rose to prominence in Indian cricket quite rapidly. Known for his sharp googlies and reckless approach on the pitch, the leggie's rise to the top has been challenging. Let's look at his inspirational journey on his birthday and learn five little-known facts about this young leg-spinner.
Growing up, Bishnoi's love for cricket began in secret. On Sundays, he would sneak out with his brother to play cricket all day, careful to return home before their father noticed. As the son of a government school headmaster, pursuing cricket was a long shot.
His father prioritised education, making it difficult for Bishnoi to dream of a career in the sport. Despite this, his mother shared his passion for cricket. She would watch matches with him when his father was away at school, and even today, she is glued to the TV whenever her son plays.
Ravi Bisnoy with his first coach Shahrukh Pathan and Pradyot Singh // Picture Courtesy -- Times of India
Despite growing up in a city unknown for the sport, Bishnoi's early years were marked by a fierce passion for cricket. Jodhpur lacked the cricketing infrastructure that many other Indian towns boast, making it difficult for him to pursue his dreams.
Undeterred, Bishnoi and his friends, including his mentors Shahrukh Pathan and Pradyot Singh, took matters into their own hands. They decided to build a cricket academy from scratch named Spartan cricket academy. Bishnoi, just a teenager then, played a crucial role in its construction, performing laborious tasks like breaking stones and carrying cement. It was challenging, but it laid the foundation for his cricketing career.
Bishnoi's journey into leg-spin bowling is an exciting twist. Initially, he started as a medium-pacer, but his slight build and short stature led his coaches to suggest a change in bowling style.
They guided him towards the leg-spin, which required significant adjustments to his action and posture. This switch wasn't easy, but it was instrumental in shaping him into the bowler he is today.
In March 2018, Bishnoi faced a critical decision when his father called him to return home and focus on his 12th board exams while training with the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur. Encouraged by his coaches, who urged him with the words, "Browny, it's now or never," Bishnoi chose to prioritise his cricketing passion.
This decision proved pivotal, as he made a significant impact with 17 wickets and standout performances in the Under-19 World Cup. Despite initial rejections at Under-16 and Under-19 trials, Bishnoi's dedication and the support from his mentors, including Pradyot Singh and Dishant Yagnik, helped him rise to prominence.
Bishnoi made his T20I debut for India on February 16, 2022, against the West Indies. He joined the ranks as the 8th Indian men's player to be named Man of the Match on his T20I debut. The match started on a shaky note for him. His first act on the field was catching Nicholas Pooran at the boundary but losing his balance, resulting in a six.
His first over was equally nerve-wracking, with three wides. But in true Bishnoi fashion, he bounced back quickly, taking two crucial wickets in his second over. His performance earned praise from the Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma, who lauded Bishnoi's talent and potential. Bishnoi later described the match as a dream come true, marking his debut with a memorable contribution to India's victory.
Having started his international career in 2022, Bishnoi is still at a nascent stage but has shown glimpses of brilliance. On his birthday, we wish Bishnoi becomes one of the prominent Indian cricketers in the years to come.
 Happy B’day, Rashid Khan The Unmatched Records.webp)
