1st T20I: Dew factor could see Bishnoi miss out

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January 21, 2025 21:47 IST

India's Ravi Bishnoi

IMAGE: Ravi Bishnoi may not be picked in favour of Gautam Gambhir's ward at KKR, Varun Chakravarthy. Photograph: BCCI

With heavy dew likely to impact the proceedings during the opening T20I at the Eden Gardens, India's bowlers practised with wet balls and it will not be a surprise if the hosts field only two spinners, given the conditions.

Dew is a perennial concern at this time of the year at Eden Gardens. Since dew makes it difficult to grip the ball, fielding a third spinner could prove to be costly.

Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, a key member of the reigning IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders, appears to be an automatic choice for India and head coach Gautam Gambhir likely to pair him alongside vice-captain Axar Patel.

 

As a result, Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar may have to wait for their turn.

"If we know there is going to be a heavy dew, you start preparing with the wet ball. You start bowling with the wet ball during practice sessions. You field with the wet ball. So these are the things which are in your control," India skipper Suryakumar said.

"We try to control all those things which we can during practice sessions so that when the game comes, we are prepared."

It could also open the door for in-form Andhra all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, whose inclusion would strengthen India's batting line-up further.

Reddy last appeared in a T20I during the home series against Bangladesh in October last year, and he will be eager to carry his form into this series, if given the opportunity.

Reddy made history as the first Indian batter to score a century in Australia while batting at number eight -- a historic maiden Test century during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne this past December.

From opening to No. 10, the slots are almost sorted. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson will open the innings, followed by Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, and Axar Patel -- in no fixed order.

"We all want to be very flexible with the batting order. Other than the openers' slots, which are fixed, I think from 3 to 8 or 7, everyone needs to be really flexible with their batting order. Anyone can go in at any time, and we have been practicing for that," Suryakumar said.

It will be a homecoming for KKR star finisher Rinku Singh, who has had a quiet run recently, with scores of 8 not out, 11, 9, and 8 in his last four innings.

Suryakumar is hopeful that Rinku will come out all guns blazing.

"I want to see him hitting sixes. He has measured all the nooks and corners of Eden Gardens, having played a lot of cricket here. It will be a good welcome for him. It's always a good stadium with a great atmosphere," Suryakumar said.

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