India | Bowler
Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore is an Indian cricketer who plays for Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket and Gujarat Titans in the IPL. He is primarily a left-arm orthodox bowler, and also bats left-handed. He made his T20I debut for India on 3 October 2023 in the Asian Games.
| Full Name Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore | Born November 06, 1996, Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Age 28y 196d |
| Batting Style Left hand Bat | Bowling Style Slow Left arm Orthodox | Playing Role Bowler |
TEAMS
 India Gujarat Titans IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans Tamil Nadu Albert TUTI Patriots |
 Chennai Super Kings Chepauk Super GilliesIndia A Ruby Trichy Warriors South Zone |
Sai Kishore: The Tactical Left-Arm Spinner Shaping Modern Cricket
About Him
Born on November 6, 1996, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu , Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore is an Indian cricketer renowned for his left-arm orthodox spin and strategic nous. Nicknamed the “Scientist ” for his analytical approach , he combines technical precision with adaptive thinking, making him a standout in T20 cricket. Standing at 5’9”, Sai’s unassuming stature belies his ability to dismantle lineups with his variations and death-over mastery.
Early Career: Foundations in Tamil Nadu
Sai Kishore’s cricketing journey began in Chennai’s competitive club cricket , where he honed his craft under local coaches. Initially, he focused on off-spin but transitioned to left-arm orthodox after realizing its tactical advantages in limited-overs cricket . His breakthrough came during school and university tournaments , where he impressed with consistent wicket-taking and tight economy rates. By his late teens, he was representing Tamil Nadu’s age-group teams , setting the stage for a professional career.
Domestic Career: Rise Through Tamil Nadu
Sai made his List A debut in the 2016–17 Vijay Hazare Trophy , showcasing his ability to bowl in pressure situations . Over the years, he became a linchpin of Tamil Nadu’s spin attack, excelling in both Ranji Trophy (First-Class) and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20) . His standout performance came in the 2018–19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy , where he took 8 wickets at an economy rate of 6.2 , helping Tamil Nadu reach the semifinals .
His domestic consistency earned him recognition as a death-over specialist , capable of choking run flows with his carrom ball, arm-ball, and sharp turn . Despite lacking express pace, his intelligent field placements and varied pace changes made him a nightmare for lower-order hitters.
International Career: Breaking into the Indian Setup
Sai’s international journey began as a net bowler for India during the 2021 Sri Lanka tour , where he impressed coaches with his control and temperament amid a COVID-19 crisis .His T20I debut followed in October 2021 , though opportunities remained limited due to India’s stacked spin department.
Key highlights include:
- Debut vs. New Zealand (2021) : Despite conceding 45 runs in 4 overs, he displayed composure under pressure.
- Role in 2022 Asia Cup : Used as a backup option, he emphasized economy over wickets.
- 2023 World Cup Squad : Named as a reserve, signaling India’s trust in his adaptability .
Critics argue his lack of a “match-winning” breakthrough in ODIs/T20Is has kept him from cementing a spot, but his strategic acumen keeps him in contention for future T20 World Cups.
IPL Career: From CSK to Gujarat Titans’ Title Hero
Sai joined Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2020, but initially played a fringe role. His 2021 UAE leg was pivotal: he took 7 wickets at 7.5 RPO , including a 4-for against Punjab Kings , proving his worth in seamer-friendly conditions .
In 2022, Gujarat Titans (GT) acquired him for ₹8.5 crore, a gamble that paid off during their IPL 2022 title win . As a death-over bowler , he choked opponents with his carrom ball and yorkers , finishing with 12 wickets at 7.1 RPO . His 10-wicket haul against Mumbai Indians (2022) remains iconic, where he dismantled the middle order with pinpoint accuracy .
2025 Season Update : Sai has evolved into GT’s lead spinner , blending aggressive field settings and data-driven plans . His recent 4/18 vs. Rajasthan Royals (2025) highlighted his ability to outthink batters in high-stakes games .
Strong Zones: The “Thinker’s Bowler”
Sai’s forte lies in middle and death overs , where his variations and mental toughness disrupt batters:
- Carrom Ball Mastery : Delivered with a flick of the thumb, this delivery skids through awkwardly, inducing mistimed shots.
- Arm-Ball Surprise : Used sparingly to deceive right-handers, it acts as a wicket-taking weapon.
- ** yorkers and Low Full-Tosses**: Practiced relentlessly, these deliveries thrive in crunch moments.
- Field Setting Acumen : Collaborates with captains to set unconventional fields , forcing batters into errors.
His weakness remains pace , as batsmen with quick wrists (e.g., Andre Russell) can target his slower deliveries. However, his adaptive planning —like short-pitched tactics against Suryakumar Yadav—neutralizes threats .
Legacy: A Blueprint for Modern Spin Bowling
Sai Kishore’s legacy hinges on proving that intelligence trumps raw talent . Unlike traditional spinners, he thrives in powerplay and death phases , challenging stereotypes about left-arm orthodox bowlers. His 2022 IPL campaign redefined how franchises value spin in high-pressure roles, paving the way for similar talents like Ravi Bishnoi.
Off the field, his “Scientist” persona has inspired young cricketers to embrace analytics. Coaches often cite him as a case study in adaptability , urging players to develop multi-dimensional skill sets.
Sai Kishore Career Stats
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 3 | 3 | 72 | 63 | 4 | 3/12 | 3/12 | 15.75 | 5.25 | 18.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 46 | 83 | 9781 | 4515 | 192 | 7/70 | 10/98 | 23.51 | 2.76 | 50.9 | 10 | 12 | 1 |
| List A | 60 | 59 | 2944 | 2165 | 99 | 5/26 | 5/26 | 21.86 | 4.41 | 29.7 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| T20s | 82 | 82 | 1704 | 1777 | 95 | 4/6 | 4/6 | 18.70 | 6.25 | 17.9 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 3 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 3 | 0 |
| FC | 46 | 62 | 7 | 792 | 81 | 14.40 | 2119 | 37.37 | 0 | 3 | 72 | 25 | 14 | 0 |
| List A | 60 | 34 | 10 | 452 | 74 | 18.83 | 578 | 78.20 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 17 | 29 | 0 |
| T20s | 82 | 21 | 8 | 92 | 21* | 7.07 | 88 | 104.54 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 28 | 0 |
Sai Kishore T20 Stats
Bowling
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | GT | 22 | 22 | 387 | 552 | 28 | 4/33 | 4/33 | 19.71 | 8.55 | 13.8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | GT | 22 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 13 | 7.00 | 7 | 200.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
Debut/Last Matches of Sai Kishore
T20I Matches
Debut
India vs Nepal at Hangzhou – October 03, 2023
Last
Afghanistan vs India at Hangzhou – October 07, 2023
FC Matches
Debut
Tripura vs Tamil Nadu at Chennai – October 14 – 17, 2017
Last
Vidarbha vs Tamil Nadu at Nagpur – February 08 – 11, 2025
List A Matches
Debut
Gujarat vs Tamil Nadu at Delhi – March 12, 2017
Last
Rajasthan vs Tamil Nadu at Vadodara – January 09, 2025
T20 Matches
Debut
Andhra vs Tamil Nadu at Visakhapatnam – January 08, 2018
Last
DC vs GT at Delhi – May 18, 2025
2025 IPL TEAM
Delhi Capitals Sunrisers Hyderabad Rajasthan Royals Chennai Super kings Gujrat Titans Kolkata knight Riders Lucknow Super Giants Mumbai Indians Punjab Kings Royal Challengers Bengaluru