T20 cricket thrives on explosive batting, yet Ekta Bisht proved that spinners can turn the tide with guile and precision. Hailing from Almora in Uttarakhand, this left-arm orthodox bowler began her cricketing odyssey at age six, training with boys in an era when girls’ cricket was a rarity back home.
Debuting internationally against Australia on June 23, 2011, in T20Is, Bisht quickly expanded her resume with ODI and Test caps. Her career-defining day arrived on October 3, 2012, at the Women’s T20 World Cup. Facing Sri Lanka, she claimed a hat-trick, making history as India’s inaugural T20I hat-trick taker – a record that outshone even the men’s side until Deepak Chahar’s effort years later.
Bisht’s trophy cabinet boasts participation in the 2017 ODI World Cup final. Her bowling figures are impressive: 3 Test wickets, 98 ODI scalps in 63 games, and 53 T20I wickets from 42 outings. That unforgettable five-for against Pakistan in 2017 propelled India to triumph, cementing her as a big-match performer. Recently, RCB snapped her up for the 2024 Women’s Premier League, highlighting her enduring appeal.
At nearly 40, Bisht continues to grace domestic and league cricket, her last international outing dating back to February 2022. Without an official retirement, she embodies persistence, motivating young athletes to chase dreams against all odds in Indian women’s cricket.