Being dropped will 'dent his confidence massively' - Abhinav on Bishnoi

Former India cricketer Abhinav Mukund has expressed concern over Ravi Bishnoi being dropped by Rajasthan Royals, warning that the decision could “dent his confidence massively” despite the legspinner’s promising start to the Indian Premier League 2026 season.

Bishnoi began the campaign strongly, claiming nine wickets in his first four matches. However, his form dipped in the following four games, where he managed just two wickets while conceding 115 runs in 11 overs at an economy rate of 10.45. This slump led to his omission from the playing XI against Punjab Kings.

In his place, Rajasthan Royals handed an opportunity to 19-year-old legspinner Yash Raj Punja, who had previously featured alongside Bishnoi in a defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders. In that match, Punja impressed with figures of 1 for 25, while Bishnoi returned 1 for 41.

Speaking on a cricket analysis show, veteran legspinner Piyush Chawla backed Bishnoi’s recent performances, stating he believed the bowler was still in good form. Mukund, however, was more critical of the team’s selection call, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a consistent core in successful IPL teams.

“I’m not too much in agreement with the Yash Raj call,” Mukund said. “Teams that have done well over time have stuck with a core group of bowlers, especially Indian players. Dropping Bishnoi for another legspinner could hurt his confidence.”

Despite the debate, Punja delivered a solid performance against Punjab Kings, picking up two wickets while conceding 41 runs in his four overs. Rajasthan Royals went on to chase down a daunting target of 223 with four balls to spare.

Bishnoi joined Rajasthan Royals this season after a difficult stint with Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025, where he managed nine wickets in 11 innings at a high economy rate of 10.83. This was a stark contrast to his earlier IPL performances between 2020 and 2024, during which he consistently picked up wickets while maintaining economical bowling figures.

Reflecting on his struggles earlier this season, Bishnoi acknowledged issues with his bowling lengths but highlighted the work he had put in across mental, technical, and physical aspects of his game. He credited his efforts in domestic cricket and off-season training for helping him improve.

Mukund added that while Lucknow Super Giants were justified in releasing Bishnoi after a poor 2025 season, Rajasthan Royals may have acted too hastily in dropping him this year. “I don’t think he’s had a bad season this year,” he noted.

The decision has sparked discussion around team selection strategies and player management, particularly the balance between form and confidence in a high-pressure tournament like the IPL.