Ravi Bishnoi Dropped by RR: Expert Analysis on the Legspinner’s Form
The Dilemma of Ravi Bishnoi
In the high-stakes environment of the Indian Premier League, momentum is everything. For Rajasthan Royals (RR) legspinner Ravi Bishnoi, the 2026 season has been a rollercoaster. After a blistering start that saw him claim nine wickets in his first four appearances, his form took a concerning turn. In his subsequent four outings, he managed only two wickets while conceding 115 runs across 11 overs—an economy rate of 10.45 that would trouble any captain.
This downturn culminated in a bold decision by the RR management: dropping Bishnoi for their crucial match against the Punjab Kings (PBKS). In his place, the team opted for 19-year-old Yash Raj Punja. While the gamble on the youngster provided immediate relief—Punja finished as RR’s most successful bowler against PBKS with figures of 2 for 41—the move has ignited a broader discussion about team philosophy and player management.
Expert Perspectives on the Selection
The decision to bench a player of Bishnoi’s experience has not gone unnoticed by cricketing pundits. On ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut programme, former cricketer Abhinav Mukund expressed reservations about the move. While acknowledging the need for results, Mukund highlighted the importance of continuity in a successful IPL setup.
“I’m not too much in agreement with the Yash Raj call because I believe firmly that teams who have been successful over a period of time in the IPL have maintained a core of bowlers,” Mukund argued. “And especially when Ravi Bishnoi has bowled well. If you’re going to drop him for another leggie, that’s going to dent his confidence massively.”
Piyush Chawla, an expert in the art of legspin himself, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that despite the statistical dip, Bishnoi was still a bowler in good form who arguably deserved more backing.
Rebuilding the Rhythm
Bishnoi’s journey to the Rajasthan Royals this season followed a challenging stint with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in 2025, where he picked up nine wickets in 11 innings at an economy of 10.83. This was a significant departure from his stellar form between 2020 and 2024, where he consistently maintained impressive economy rates and wicket-taking tallies.
Reflecting on his struggles earlier in the season after an impressive 4 for 41 against the Gujarat Titans, Bishnoi spoke candidly about his efforts to refine his game. “Last season was difficult. But I tried to stick to my processes. I had one weakness: if my length was wrong then I was getting hit for fours and sixes,” he explained. He emphasized that he had spent the off-season working on the “mental, technical, and physical” aspects of his bowling to ensure he could consistently hit the right lengths.
The Strategy of Patience
Abhinav Mukund noted that while the Lucknow Super Giants were perhaps justified in moving on from Bishnoi after his 2025 campaign, the Rajasthan Royals might be being overly harsh. “[LSG] didn’t make a mistake in releasing him; Ravi Bishnoi was bowling badly at that point,” Mukund clarified. “But I don’t think he’s had a bad season this year.”
As the IPL 2026 season progresses, the management at RR faces a classic coaching conundrum: do you reward the form of a young, untested talent like Punja, or do you invest in the confidence and pedigree of an established spinner who is clearly going through a rough patch? For Bishnoi, the road back to the starting XI will require him to once again trust the rigorous processes he worked so hard to implement during the off-season. Whether or not he gets that opportunity remains a key storyline to watch in the remainder of the tournament.
