Kaif urges Iyer to back Bishnoi with confidence ahead of Zimbabwe tour

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has urged skipper Shreyas Iyer to provide Ravi Bishnoi with consistent backing and guaranteed game time as the side prepares to face Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series starting Thursday, July 23. Kaif believes this backing is vital for the leg-spinner, who is recovering from a costly England tour.

Bishnoi faced the axe after the second T20I against England at Old Trafford, where he bowled four overs and gave up 60 runs without taking a wicket. The setback proved particularly harsh because Bishnoi had been drafted in as an injury replacement for Varun Chakaravarthy. The Zimbabwe series, scheduled at Harare Sports Club across July 23, 25, and 26, offers him a fresh opportunity to rebuild his confidence and rediscover his rhythm in the shorter format.

“Bishnoi only played one match in England before he was dropped. I want to see Iyer handle Bishnoi well. Tell him, ‘Brother, no matter how you play, you will get the full series’. Atleast give him the chance. If you give him just one match and then drop him, then there will be insecurity in the team,” Kaif said on Cricbuzz.

Why should India persist with Ravi Bishnoi through the Zimbabwe series?

Kaif stressed that dropping players after a single poor outing creates psychological pressure within the squad, which hampers their development. The former India batter noted that T20 cricket demands attacking play and confidence, something that gets lost when a player lacks security over his spot in the playing eleven.

“A player coming into the team witnessing this might think that if he does not perform in one match, he might get dropped. If you don’t come in with the attacking style without any pressure, then you will lag behind in T20 cricket. So, in my opinion, Bishnoi, especially, assure him that you will play all matches, so bowl freely,” the cricketer-turned-expert added.

Bishnoi has a decent record against Zimbabwe. In five T20Is, he has picked up six wickets at an average of 17.66 and an economy rate of 5.57. However, Iyer would like him to pick up more wickets, even if they come at the cost of a few runs.