'You don't get many chances to stand on a podium with a medal...’: Ravi Bishnoi on Asian Games 2026

Nagoya: For Indian leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, representing the country at the Asian Games brings a sense of familiar pride wrapped in an entirely unique high. For him, standing on a podium with a medal around his neck offers a distinct thrill compared to lifting a traditional cricket trophy.

Bishnoi is currently featuring in his second Asian Games campaign, having been part of the Indian squad that clinched gold in Hangzhou three years prior. Similar to their setup in China, the Indian team is residing in a hotel rather than the central Athletes' Village.

India kept their pursuit of back-to-back gold medals intact on Monday after their quarterfinal fixture against Afghanistan was washed out. The Indian side advanced to the next round by virtue of their higher tournament seed.

"Both (playing for India in dedicated cricket events and in a multi-sporting event) are the same in terms of representing India. Whether you're winning a trophy or a medal, it means the same," Bishnoi was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

"But here, you're not representing the BCCI; you're representing India. So there's a different feeling when you get to stand on the podium. You don't get many opportunities to stand on a podium, and here you get to do that with a medal around your neck. It's a great feeling," he added.

The Indian squad made the journey to Nagoya from Tokyo aboard Japan's famous bullet train, an experience the leg-spinner thoroughly enjoyed.

"We hadn't come here before (Japan), so it's been a good experience so far...We covered 400 kilometres in one hour and 13 minutes, so what could be better than that? You get to travel so quickly," said Bishnoi.

While several other delegations faced logistical and accommodation issues during the initial days of the Games, the BCCI arranged five-star hotel accommodation in the heart of the city for the cricket contingent.

Though the players have been eager to catch action from other sporting disciplines, their schedule and location have limited their options so far.

"The Asian Games are definitely a different experience from the other series and World Cups. You get to see different sports and experience them as well. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to do that so far because we're staying a little away from the village.

"But we'll try today, as we have tomorrow off, and explore some other sports as well," said the spinner. (PTI)