Ekta Bisht credits coach Raman for success against England eves

While Ekta Bisht was adjudged the Player of the match, this was also the first time the spinner scalped three wickets in an over in the fifty over format although she has a hat-trick in T20s.

Ekta Bisht scalped four wickets and played a crucial role in India's win over England eves.

Friday afternoon turned special for Ekta Bisht as the India spinner scalped four wickets to help India eves beat England by 66 runs in the first ODI.

While she was adjudged the Player of the match, this was also the first time she scalped three wickets in an over in the fifty over format although she has a hat-trick in T20s.

The 33-year-old left-arm spinner from Uttar Pradesh credited India’s new coach, W.V. Raman, for helping her improve her action.

“I have taken hat-tricks in T20, but this is a first time in ODIs that I have taken three wickets in an over,” the Almora-born Ekta said.

She took three wickets in the 41st over and that turned to be the turning point as India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

“Whenever Raman sir finds any fault (in my bowling), he makes it a point to come and rectify those errors. He stresses on little points and that helps us. Earlier, I was bowling sideways, but he told me to change that action a bit and that helped,” said Ekta on being asked what has she has learned from former Test player Raman, who started his career as a left-arm spinner.

READ: Bisht scythes through England lower order to set up win

Speaking about the Wankhede wicket, she said, “In the morning it looked that the ball would skid. But later, when I spoke to Poonam (Yadav) and the other spinners, we figured out that we will reap benefits in the second innings. With time, it will turn and it happened that way. Even other bowlers got help,” she said.

Ekta also praised pacers Jhulan Goswami and Shikha Pandey for providing breakthroughs. “When they were three down for 114, we decided not to give up. We fielded well and the bowlers like Jhulan di and Shikha backed us well. Shikha bowled very well.

READ: Heather Knight: 'We didn't play the Indian spinners well'

“Jhulan di and Shikha gave breakthroughs and took the key wickets. When I came in the 11th over, my target was to keep the pressure. I did not go for wickets. The idea was to restrict the runs. Initially I bowled slow, but in the second spell the wicket had dried up. Then, I bowled my normal deliveries and did not try too many variations,” the spinner pointed out.