Yuzvendra Chahal etched his name in the history books of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as he became only the second player, after Yuvraj Singh, to take two hat-tricks in his IPL career. Chahal achieved this feat against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their third match of the ongoing IPL 2020 season. With this impressive performance, Chahal has now joined the elite list of players who have taken multiple hat-tricks in the IPL, with Amit Mishra being the only player to have achieved this feat thrice.
The IPL is known for producing some thrilling and nail-biting moments, and hat-tricks are one of the most exciting things that can happen in a match. It requires an immense amount of skill, strategy and a bit of luck to take a hat-trick, and Chahal has proved time and again that he possesses all of these qualities. The 30-year-old spinner has been a consistent performer for RCB over the years and has been instrumental in their success.
Chahal’s first hat-trick came in the 2019 season of the IPL against the same opponents, SRH. In that match, he took the wickets of Deepak Hooda, Rashid Khan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, securing a victory for his team. His second hat-trick, which came in the recent match, saw him picking up the wickets of Vijay Shankar, Priyam Garg and Abhishek Sharma in consecutive deliveries, turning the game in RCB’s favor once again.
What sets Chahal’s hat-trick against SRH apart is the fact that he took all three wickets in the 20th over of the match, when the opposition needed just 43 runs to win. Chahal’s heroics not only helped RCB win the match but also showed his ability to handle pressure in crucial situations. His variations and ability to read the batsman’s mind have helped him take these hat-tricks and emerge as a match-winner for his team.
Chahal’s impressive record in the IPL has made him a favorite among fans and critics alike. In just 84 matches, he has taken 108 wickets at an average of 22.17 and an economy rate of 7.68. He has also been a regular in the Indian cricket team, making his debut in 2016 and going on to represent the country in 54 ODIs and 44 T20Is.
While Chahal’s feat of taking two hat-tricks in the IPL is commendable, we must also applaud the other players who have achieved this feat. Yuvraj Singh, who is often referred to as the ‘King of Sixes’, set the record of taking two hat-tricks in the tournament’s history in 2009 and 2014 while playing for Kings XI Punjab. However, it was Amit Mishra who took the competition to another level by registering three hat-tricks, two for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and one for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Mishra, who also holds the record for the most number of wickets (157) in the IPL, has been a consistent performer in the league since its inception in 2008. His ability to outfox the batsmen with his leg-breaks and googlies has been his weapon, which has helped him take these hat-tricks. His record of three hat-tricks in the IPL proves that he is a true master of his craft.
In conclusion, Chahal’s achievement of equalling Yuvraj Singh’s record of two hat-tricks in the IPL is a testament to his skill and talent as a bowler. He has shown consistency and dedication towards his game, and his performances have been crucial in RCB’s success. With the current form that he is in, we can expect more hat-tricks from him in the upcoming matches and seasons. Hats off to Chahal for his fantastic achievement, and let us hope that he continues to spin magic on the field in the future.
