Bishnoi Turns the Tide After Tough 2025 with Match-Winning Spell for Rajasthan Royals

In a dramatic turnaround during Rajasthan Royals’ clash against Gujarat Titans, Ravi Bishnoi delivered a match-defining spell that highlighted his resurgence after a difficult IPL 2025 season.

Chasing a daunting target of 211, Gujarat Titans appeared firmly in control in the 11th over, with B Sai Sudharsan well set at the crease and several power-hitters waiting in the wings. However, the game shifted dramatically when Bishnoi struck, claiming three wickets in just six deliveries across two overs. His scalps included Sudharsan, Glenn Phillips, and Washington Sundar, derailing Gujarat’s chase.

Bishnoi finished with impressive figures of 4 for 41, earning the Player-of-the-Match award and guiding Rajasthan Royals to a narrow six-run victory.

Reflecting on his performance, Bishnoi credited his comeback to focused improvements across all aspects of his game. “Last season was difficult, but I stuck to my processes. My main issue was my length—whenever I missed it, I was punished. I worked hard in domestic cricket to correct that,” he said after the match.

The leg-spinner, who was once a standout performer for Lucknow Super Giants, endured his worst IPL season in 2025, managing just nine wickets in 11 matches at a high average and economy rate. Following that slump, he was released ahead of the 2026 auction and later picked up by Rajasthan Royals for INR 7.20 crore.

His tactical awareness was evident during the match, particularly against left-handed batters. Bishnoi revealed that he deliberately targeted the longer boundary side by bowling googlies from middle and leg stump lines. “The idea was to make them hit against the bigger boundary. It worked well, and we had planned it with the team and Dhruv Jurel,” he explained.

Among his four wickets, Bishnoi highlighted the dismissal of Rahul Tewatia as the most crucial. Known for his finishing abilities, Tewatia’s wicket in the 15th over came at a pivotal moment, preventing Gujarat from regaining momentum.

While Bishnoi’s spell turned the game, it was Tushar Deshpande who sealed the victory in the final over, conceding just four runs with a series of pinpoint yorkers.

The performance marks a significant comeback for Bishnoi, who appears to have rediscovered his rhythm and confidence, reinforcing his reputation as one of the IPL’s most promising spin bowlers.