Bishnoi: '170 is no longer competitive in T20s, it's now an average score'
Synopsis
Ravi Bishnoi's blunt assessment — that 170 is no longer a competitive T20 total — captures just how much the format has transformed in four years. Speaking ahead of the third T20I against Afghanistan in New Delhi, the leg-spinner backed process over pressure and highlighted how bowlers must rethink success in an era of relentlessly rising batting benchmarks.
Key Takeaways
Ravi Bishnoi stated that 170 has shifted from a winning T20 score to an average or below-par total between 2022 and 2026 .
Bishnoi replaced an injured Varun Chakravarthy (side strain) in the second T20I, returning 1 for 32 as India won by seven wickets .
He dismissed Afghanistan top-order batter Sediqullah Atal in the second game.
The 25-year-old Jodhpur spinner, who plays for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL , stressed sticking to core processes on flat pitches and small grounds.
The third T20I between India and Afghanistan is scheduled at the Arun Jaitley Stadium , New Delhi , on Thursday .
India leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi has offered a striking take on how dramatically T20 cricket has evolved, declaring that a score of 170 — once considered a match-winning total — has become merely average or even below par in the modern game. Bishnoi made these remarks in New Delhi on 17 September 2026, ahead of the third T20I between India and Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Bishnoi's Impact in the Second T20I
Bishnoi was drafted into the playing XI for the second game on Tuesday, replacing wrist-spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who was ruled out of the series against Afghanistan due to a side strain. In a match India won by seven wickets, the 25-year-old returned figures of 1 for 32 in his four overs, claiming the wicket of top-order batter Sediqullah Atal.
Reflecting on his showing, Bishnoi credited preparation and discipline as key contributors. 'It was a really good match. One important thing was that I was able to put into practice the things I had been working on during training. Being able to contribute to the team's win made it even better,' he said in a conversation with broadcasters.
How T20 Scoring Benchmarks Have Shifted
The Jodhpur-born spinner, who represents Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), drew a sharp contrast between T20 scoring standards from 2022 to 2026. 'T20 cricket has changed a lot. From 2022 to 2026, things have changed massively. Back then, 170 was considered a minimum score. Today, 170 is barely a competitive total. What was once a winning score has now become an average or below-par score,' Bishnoi said.
This evolution reflects a broader global trend: batting depth, heavier bats, shorter boundaries, and increasingly aggressive powerplay strategies have collectively pushed scoring rates to levels once unimaginable in the format's early years. Notably, several recent T20 internationals have seen totals of 200+ defended and still not considered safe.
Bishnoi's Bowling Philosophy on Flat Tracks
Pressed on how spinners adapt to flat pitches and compact venues — conditions that heavily favour batters — Bishnoi was pragmatic. 'My philosophy is to do what you know best and keep improving at it. You have to stick to your process and your plans. Playing on good pitches and small grounds is certainly a factor, but you also have to focus on your bowling, how much control you have, and whether you can execute the things you've been working on in practice,' he explained.
His emphasis on process over outcome aligns with a broader coaching philosophy increasingly adopted at the elite level, where bowlers are encouraged to measure success by execution rather than economy rates alone in high-scoring conditions.
What to Watch in the Third T20I
The third T20I between India and Afghanistan is scheduled to begin at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday. With India already holding an advantage in the series, the match offers Bishnoi a further opportunity to cement his place in the limited-overs setup ahead of a busy international calendar.
Point of View
And what counted as a par score at the 2022 T20 World Cup looks modest by 2026 franchise-cricket standards. The deeper concern for India's bowling unit is structural — spinners like Bishnoi are being asked to defend totals that no longer defend themselves, on surfaces and in stadiums designed for entertainment over contest. His answer — trust process, not outcome — is honest, but the real question is whether Indian selection and coaching frameworks are evolving fast enough to keep quality spinners competitive as batting benchmarks keep resetting upward.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ravi Bishnoi say about T20 scores?
Bishnoi said that a score of 170, once considered a minimum winning total in T20 cricket, has now become an average or below-par score by 2026 standards. He noted that the format has changed massively between 2022 and 2026.
Why did Bishnoi play in the second T20I against Afghanistan?
Bishnoi came into the team as a replacement for wrist-spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who was ruled out of the Afghanistan series with a side strain. India won that second T20I by seven wickets.
How did Bishnoi perform in the second T20I?
Bishnoi bowled four overs and finished with figures of 1 for 32, taking the wicket of Afghanistan top-order batter Sediqullah Atal. India won the match by seven wickets.
When and where is the third T20I between India and Afghanistan?
The third T20I is scheduled to be played on Thursday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. It follows India's seven-wicket victory in the second game on Tuesday.
What is Bishnoi's bowling philosophy on flat tracks?
Bishnoi says his approach is to stick to what he knows best and keep refining it through training. He emphasises control, process, and executing in-practice skills rather than reacting to conditions on flat pitches and in small grounds.
