Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi has been recalled to the Indian
cricket team for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against
Zimbabwe, starting July 23. Bishnoi joins the 15-member squad as an injury
replacement for fellow leg-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who was ruled out after
suffering a Grade 2 hamstring injury during the tour of England.
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| Image Credits: NDTV Sports |
The decision was finalized by the national selection
committee in consultation with head coach Gautam Gambhir and National Cricket
Academy chief V.V.S. Laxman, who will be overseeing the team management duties
during the brief African tour. Chakaravarthy had carried a toe injury through
the 2026 IPL season and passed fitness clearance at the Centre of Excellence,
but the fresh hamstring setback just before the fourth T20I in England forced
him out.
Bishnoi’s recall also comes as an opportunity for the young spinner to iron out recent technical discipline issues. During the preceding T20I series against England, Bishnoi grabbed headlines for the wrong reasons when he conceded a rare hat-trick of back-foot no-balls in his 4 over spell which cost India the match. The unusual infringement where a bowler's back foot cuts the side return crease cost India crucial extra runs, a technical glitch the team management will look to fix ahead of the Zimbabwe matches.
Bishnoi, who recently picked up 11 wickets for the Rajasthan
Royals in IPL 2026, returns to the mix after initially being left out of the
experimental squad. The 25-year-old brings valuable international experience to
a highly youthful side led by Shreyas Iyer. Bishnoi boasts an impressive T20I
record, having scalped 64 wickets in 46 matches at an average of 20.45.
Notably, his career-best international figures of 4/13 came against Zimbabwe
back in 2024.
The three-match series will be played entirely at the Harare Sports Club from July 23 to July 26. Bishnoi will operate alongside domestic standout Harsh Dubey in the spin department, looking to anchor a bowling attack featuring fiery pacers like Mayank Yadav and Yash Thakur.
