Simple answer- no. While Deepak Chahar bowled superbly last night, recording the best figures in T20I history (6-7), which included a hat-trick, it is not quite the first by an Indian in T20s, as the BCCI wrongly stated.
.@deepak_chahar9 today became the first Indian to pick up a hat-trick in T20Is 🙌👏 pic.twitter.com/qNctKUVgmF
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 10, 2019
In fact, seven years back, Ekta Bisht recorded the first hat-trick by an Indian in the T20 format, as she picked up wickets in three consecutive balls against Sri Lanka in a qualifier for the T20 World Cup of 2014.
The Sri Lankan team were tottering along at 99-4 in the final over of their innings when Bisht came on to bowl. She picked out Dualani Surangika, Yasoda Mendis and Eshani Kaushalya in consecutive balls to further dent the Lankan innings.
They eventually finished on 100-8 off their 20 overs, and India comfortably chased down the target in 14.4 overs with veteran Mithali Raj and Poonam Raut taking them over the line.
Let’s correct this.
— Yash Lahoti (@YvLahoti) November 11, 2019
Deepak Chahar is the first Indian to take a hat-trick in Men’s T20Is.
Ekta Bisht is the first Indian (Man/Woman) to take a hat-trick in T20Is (2012).
(P.S. Ekta Bisht holds an Indian passport) https://t.co/jXkTyKw9NB
This goof-up again brings up the debate of women’s cricket not being given as much attention as the men’s game. This takes nothing away from the performance of Deepak Chahar but such a gaffe by the social media account of one of the giants of the game is not acceptable.
The board needs to support its women’s team better, especially at a time when it is throwing up stars like 15-year-old Shafali Verma.
Featured image courtesy: AFP / Punit Paranjpe
