IPL 2023: Ravi Bishnoi reveals he skipped Class 12th board exams to be Rajasthan Royals net bowler

The 22-year-old also explained how difficult it was for his father, who is a government teacher by profession, when he decided to give cricket more priority than studies.

“At the age of 10, I joined a cricket academy and when I turned 15, I decided to give up on my studies. I was not getting time from cricket.

“It was difficult to convince the parents. My coaches then told my father to let me continue with cricket because of my talent,” he said.

Bishnoi, who was the leading wicket-taker during the 2020 U-19 World Cup also shared the story behind all the altercation with the Bangladesh cricketers following the final. Bangladesh won the match by three wickets to lift their maiden U-19 World Cup title.

“In the U-19 WC final, they were sledging our batters a lot, and they did cross the line, and when our turn came we returned the favour,” he said.

“After the win, they crossed the line. They started mocking us on our faces, and in the heat of the moment, I also said few things that I am not very proud of.

“After that final, I have never sledged anyone,” he said.

Ravi Bishnoi and Akash Singh, who was also his roommate during the tournament, have been given five demerit points for the post-match incidents. Bishnoi was handed a further two demerit points for using “language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter” after dismissing Avishek Das.

“My only concern was whether I would be able to play in the IPL or not,” he said.

Lucknow Supergiants will open their campaign against the Delhi Capitals on April 1.