‘My wife has not eaten anything since yesterday’ – Ravi Bishnoi’s father reacts after ugly scenes in the U19 World Cup final

Ravi Bishnoi had a memorable U19 World Cup, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 17 scalps. In the final, his four-wicket haul helped India make a comeback after the Tigers’ openers got off to a flying start. But it couldn’t script glory for Team India as they lost to Bangladesh by three wickets in the final at the Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.

To add insult to injury, he managed to get tangled in a controversy when the opposition players ran on to the ground in celebration after the Tigers’ victory. Bishnoi was among the two Indian cricketers along with Akash Singh to be charged for unruly behaviour. Mangilal Bishnoi, Ravi’s father, was a tad surprised as he reckons his son to be the calmest among their children.

He is one of my calmest children, says Ravi Bishnoi’s father

“I wonder what happened to my son, because he is one of my calmest children [Ravi has two elder sisters and one brother]. He explained the sequence of events and the circumstances when he lost his cool while trying to save his teammate, who was being attacked by the Bangladeshi players,” Mangilal was quoted as saying in mid-day.

The incident has left Bishnoi’s family quite a bit affected. “My wife has not eaten anything since yesterday,” Ravi’s father added.

After the game, Priyam Garg, the Indian skipper, didn’t mince any words in saying the actions from the Bangladesh players were ‘dirty’. “We were easy. We think its part and parcel of the game — you win some and you lose some. But their reaction was dirty. I think it shouldn’t have happened. But it’s okay,” Garg said.

Even Akbar Ali, the Player of the Match in the final, apologized for the same, stating that his Boys could’ve avoided the mishap. Akbar scored a gritty 43 in the Junior Tigers’ run-chase. He got the apt support from Parvez Hossain Emon, who scored 47, playing with cramps.

From Bangladesh, Rakibul Hasan, who scored the winning runs, Shamim Hossain and Towhid Hridoy were slapped with suspension points for their atrocious behaviour on the pitch. The records will stay with them for the next couple of years.