Ravi Bishnoi suffered one of the toughest spells of his international career on Saturday, with the Indian spinner registering an unwanted record during the second T20I against England at Old Trafford. Bishnoi became the first spinner from a Full Member nation to bowl three no-balls in a men’s T20I, capping off an unforgettable evening that played a major role in England’s four-wicket win and a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The record came on a day that had started with huge excitement over 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s much-awaited debut in India. However, as the match progressed, it was Bishnoi’s expensive spell that stole the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Defending 191, India made the ideal start as Arshdeep Singh removed both Phil Salt and Jos Buttler at first. Harry Brook then countered with a blistering 39 from just 15 balls before Axar Patel dismissed the England captain to briefly bring India back into the contest. Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton rebuilt the chase with a composed partnership of 67 runs, targeting India’s spin attack on a skiddy Old Trafford surface. While Axar remained in control, Bishnoi and Varun Chakravarthy struggled to find the right pace and length, allowing England’s batsmen to settle down. The turning point came in the 17th. With England closing in on the target, Bishnoi lost control completely. He overcame each of his first two deliveries, giving England two no-balls before Jacob Bethell capitalized brutally. The left-hander blasted three sixes during the over as Bishnoi leaked 29 runs, effectively ending India’s hopes of a comeback. By the end of his spell, Bishnoi had returned figures of 0 for 60 from four overs, one of the most expensive spells of his T20I career. Earlier, India had posted 190/7 after contributions from Abhishek Sharma (43), Shreyas Iyer (37), Ishan Kishan (49) and a late bloomer from Tilak Varma, who made an unbeaten 24 off just 11 balls, including 17 runs off the over bowled by Jofra Archer. Sooryavanshi also gave a glimpse of his immense talent on debut. The 15-year-old became India’s youngest international cricketer and the second youngest debutant from a Full Member nation. He hit two sixes in an entertaining 14 off 10 balls before being stumped by Jos Buttler off Will Jacks. Despite India’s total and brilliant competitive moments with the bat and ball, Bishnoi’s cost was decisive. England chased down the target with an over to spare, with Bethell finishing unbeaten on 76 to seal a memorable win. For Bishnoi, the defeat was made all the more painful by an unwanted place in the record books, becoming the first spinner from a Full Member nation to bowl three no-balls in a men’s T20 International.
