Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) assistant coach Lance Klusener has expressed his admiration for young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who is steadily finding his form after a difficult start to IPL 2025. After being one of the key retentions ahead of the season, Bishnoi was expected to lead LSG's spin attack but initially struggled with both control and consistency. However, as the season has progressed, the young spinner has shown considerable improvement, picking up 8 wickets in 7 matches and proving that he’s getting better with every game.
In a conversation with reporters ahead of their match against Rajasthan Royals (RR), Klusener emphasized how Bishnoi’s performances have grown stronger as the tournament has unfolded. The LSG coach was confident that the spinner had bounced back well after a slower start to the season, and even though Bishnoi was unable to bowl his full quota of overs in LSG’s recent loss to Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he believed that the youngster’s adaptability has been key to his recovery.
“He probably had a bit of a slow start, but as the tournament has progressed, he’s only gotten better. I thought he played a good hand in the last game too. With Markram bowling four overs of spin, I thought he bowled extremely well," said Klusener. “It’s not always easy to get everyone’s quota in, especially when you’re bowling 11 overs of spin, but Ravi is just getting better and better.”
Klusener pointed out that managing the spinners can be a bit tricky, particularly when the team is fielding multiple spinners in the XI. In the loss to CSK, Bishnoi could bowl only three overs, but it was a decision based on balancing the overs and getting the most out of the bowling attack. Despite this, Klusener expressed confidence that Bishnoi’s form would continue to improve, particularly with the match against RR in his home state of Rajasthan.
“Ravi is back in his home state and hometown, and we’re looking forward to another strong performance from him,” Klusener continued. His confidence in Bishnoi's growing consistency could prove to be a game-changer for LSG, especially in such a critical phase of the tournament.
LSG Eyeing a Strong Performance Against RR
Looking ahead to LSG’s crucial clash with Rajasthan Royals, Klusener emphasized that the team would not underestimate their opponents, despite RR’s recent struggles. The Rajasthan-based franchise has had a mixed season, and while they have only managed two wins from their opening seven matches, Klusener remained cautious, stressing that previous results are not an indicator of future performance.
“Tomorrow is a new day and a new game,” Klusener said. “I don’t believe in history or past results. Every game brings its own challenges, and tomorrow’s game is going to be no different. It’s 50-50 tomorrow.”
He acknowledged RR's reputation for playing well at home, especially in Jaipur, but said that LSG would be prepared for a tough contest. He stressed that Jaipur is always a challenging venue for visiting teams, as RR have typically performed well at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. However, Klusener has faith in his squad’s ability to tackle the challenges head-on, particularly with players like KL Rahul, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, and Quinton de Kock, who have been pivotal with the bat. These key players will have a crucial role in setting or chasing totals, especially against a team like RR, which has the potential to bounce back strongly despite their rough patch.
LSG’s Bowling Attack: Key to Success
In addition to Bishnoi’s resurgence, the team’s bowling attack remains a point of focus for LSG. The side’s combination of Mark Wood, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Avesh Khan has been formidable, and their performances will be key to LSG’s chances in this high-stakes encounter. With Markram also contributing with the ball, the team is well-equipped to challenge any batting line-up in the tournament. If the bowlers can exploit the conditions in Jaipur, it could give LSG the upper hand.
While Bishnoi’s form and the team's strong bowling line-up are encouraging signs for LSG, they will need to address the consistency of their performances to remain in playoff contention. Winning this crucial match against RR will not only boost their morale but also put them in a strong position as the tournament enters its middle phase.
LSG’s Strategy Moving Forward
With the tournament progressing rapidly, every match becomes increasingly significant, and the pressure mounts on every team. For Lucknow Super Giants, building momentum from this fixture will be important as they look to get back on track after a few inconsistent results. Klusener’s optimistic outlook for Bishnoi and the overall team will likely help in boosting their confidence.
The focus will be on maintaining a balanced approach, with a sharp focus on executing plans with the ball and continuing to capitalize on the solid batting performances. Rahul, Pooran, and Stoinis will be expected to provide the necessary firepower with the bat, while Bishnoi and the other bowlers must continue their upward trajectory to get the team across the line.
Conclusion
As Lucknow Super Giants prepare for the upcoming RR clash, all eyes will be on how Ravi Bishnoi performs in front of his home crowd. With a growing sense of confidence, Bishnoi could be the key to LSG’s success, and Klusener’s belief in him speaks volumes about the team’s faith in their young star. In a season where consistency is everything, the support and form of players like Bishnoi, coupled with strong performances from their batting core, could be the difference between making a deep playoff run or falling short.
