Bishnoi benching by Rajasthan Royals risks confidence blow, warns Mukund
Synopsis
Abhinav Mukund has flagged a strategic misstep: benching Ravi Bishnoi for another wrist-spinner risks a confidence crater for a bowler who started strong but faltered mid-campaign. Even as Yash Raj Punja justified the call with two wickets, Piyush Chawla echoed Mukund's concern — successful IPL franchises don't rotate their core bowlers mid-slump; they back them through it.
Key Takeaways
Abhinav Mukund warned that Rajasthan Royals' decision to bench Ravi Bishnoi could dent the leg-spinner's confidence.
Bishnoi took nine wickets in his first four matches for RR but managed only two wickets in his next four games at an economy of 10.45 .
RR replaced Bishnoi with 19-year-old Yash Raj Punja for the Punjab Kings clash on 29 April .
Punja took two wickets and conceded 41 runs in RR's six-wicket win.
RR sits third in the points table and plays Delhi Capitals on 1 May at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur .
Former India batter Abhinav Mukund has cautioned that Rajasthan Royals' decision to drop leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi for their IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings on 29 April could inflict a significant confidence setback on the bowler. RR replaced Bishnoi with 19-year-old wrist spinner Yash Raj Punja in New Chandigarh, a move that drew scrutiny despite the team's eventual six-wicket victory.
Bishnoi's mixed campaign
Bishnoi, who joined RR this season following a difficult stint with Lucknow Super Giants, made a strong start with nine wickets in his opening four matches. However, his form dipped significantly thereafter, claiming only two wickets in his next four games while conceding 115 runs in 11 overs at an economy rate of 10.45.
The case against the call
Mukund expressed reservations about the substitution, arguing that successful IPL franchises have historically maintained a core group of bowlers and Indian players through lean spells. "If you're going to drop him for another leggie, that's going to dent his confidence massively," Mukund said on ESPNCricinfo. He acknowledged that LSG's decision to release Bishnoi was justified given his poor form at that time, but contended that his performance this season has not warranted benching.
Punja's immediate impact
Despite Mukund's reservations, Punja vindicated his selection in the high-scoring encounter, capturing two wickets while conceding just 41 runs and emerging as RR's standout bowler. Former India leg-spinner Piyush Chawla nonetheless questioned the decision, stating, "I thought he was in good form."
What's ahead
RR, currently positioned third in the points table, will return home to Jaipur to face Delhi Capitals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on 1 May. The franchise's handling of Bishnoi will likely remain a talking point as the tournament progresses.
Point of View
MI, DC — have built dynasties on continuity. Yash Raj Punja's two-wicket performance does not erase the fact that Bishnoi's nine-wicket start warranted patience, not replacement. Confidence in young bowlers is fragile; dropping them for another spinner of similar profile compounds the damage.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Ravi Bishnoi dropped by Rajasthan Royals?
Ravi Bishnoi was benched for the Punjab Kings clash on 29 April after a dip in form. He took nine wickets in his first four matches but managed only two wickets in his next four games while conceding 115 runs in 11 overs at an economy of 10.45. RR replaced him with 19-year-old wrist-spinner Yash Raj Punja.
What did Abhinav Mukund say about the decision?
Mukund cautioned that benching Bishnoi for another leggie would dent his confidence massively. He argued that successful IPL franchises maintain a core of bowlers through lean spells rather than rotating them mid-campaign. He acknowledged LSG's earlier release of Bishnoi was justified, but said Bishnoi did not deserve benching this season.
How did Yash Raj Punja perform in his debut?
Yash Raj Punja took two wickets and conceded 41 runs in the high-scoring clash against Punjab Kings, emerging as Rajasthan Royals' standout bowler. His performance justified the selection, though it did not silence debate over Bishnoi's benching.
What is Rajasthan Royals' next fixture?
Rajasthan Royals, currently third in the points table, will face Delhi Capitals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on 1 May 2026.
