Lakshmipathy Balaji became the first bowler to take an IPL hat-trick in 2008 against Kings XI Punjab.
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Completing a hat-trick of dismissals is often a cricketer’s biggest desire. In a game largely dominated by batsmen, picking wickets off three consecutive deliveries can be a stern challenge. The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been blessed to witness hat-tricks on 19 occasions. Some players have even gone on to achieve the unique milestone on multiple instances, which is extraordinary, to say the least. Here’s a look at cricketers who have recorded the most hat tricks in the history of the cash-rich league:
The leg-spinner has completed three hat-tricks in the IPL so far, which is an indication of the game-changer he is. Mishra achieved his first hat trick in IPL 2008 in a match against Deccan Chargers, while representing Delhi Daredevils. The bowler accounted for the dismissals of Ravi Teja, Pragyan Ojha and RP Singh after being handed the ball in the final over, with 15 runs needed. Mishra registered his second hat-trick against Kings XI Punjab now known as Punjab Kings while representing Deccan Chargers, in the 2011 edition of the IPL. In the 16th over of the match, the leg-spinner dismissed Ryan McLaren, Mandeep Singh and Ryan Harris off the 3rd, 4th and 5th delivery respectively. The final hat-trick was recorded in IPL 2013 while representing SunRisers Hyderabad against Pune Warriors India. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rahul Sharma and Ashok Dinda were the unfortunate batsmen in this scenario. Mishra’s special effort helped SRH snatch a win in a game that was nearly out of their grasp, with the opposition needing 14 runs off 12 balls.
The former Indian all-rounder registered his maiden hat trick while representing Kings XI Punjab against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2009 edition. Yuvraj helped KXIP make a comeback just when the RCB innings seemed to be gaining momentum, striking with the dismissals of Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and Robin Uthappa.
The second hat trick was recorded in the same edition against Deccan Chargers. Yuvraj dismissed Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Symonds and Venugopal Rao, with his spell of 4-0-13-3 leaving the Chargers chase in all sorts of trouble.
Ajit Chandila, Rohit Sharma, Pravin Tambe, Shreyas Gopal, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Jaydev Unadkat, Axar Patel and Praveen Kumar are the other Indians who have recorded a hat-trick. Makhaya Ntini, Samuel Badree, Sam Curran, Andrew Tye, Shane Watson, Sunil Narine are the overseas players who have registered the unique milestone on one occasion so far.
