For any international cricket bowler, an ODI hat-trick is possibly one of the most exciting and memorable feats. It occurs when a bowler dismisses three batsmen with three consecutive deliveries, a rare but breathtaking event.
In the lengthy history of Indian cricket, only four Indian bowlers have achieved an ODI hat-trick, which not only got their names in the record books but also in the hearts of hundreds of thousands of Indian cricket fans.
List of bowlers who took an ODI hat-trick
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1. Chetan Sharma – India’s First-Ever ODI Hat-Trick Hero (1987)
Chetan Sharma was the first Indian bowler to complete an ODI hat-trick, during complete record-breaking match in the 1987 Cricket World Cup against New Zealand. In a situation of record-breaking proportions, Sharma sent the Kiwi tail packing and took Ken Rutherford, Ian Smith, and Ewen Chatfield off consecutive balls.
A magnificent display that helped to cement India’s world dominance and created a record in India’s exceptional fast-bowling history. This hat-trick is one of the most remembered moments in Indian cricket.
2. Kapil Dev – The Captain Who Took a Hat-Trick (1991)
Kapil Dev, a legendary all-rounder and captain of India during its first World Cup glory in 1983, finished his incredible career in 1991 with an ODI hat-trick versus Sri Lanka when he bowled out Roshan Mahanama, Rumesh Ratnayake, and Sanath Jayasuriya off three consecutive balls.
That performance led Kapil Dev to place him alongside India’s greatest players with his leadership skills, batting ability, and world-class bowling ability.
3. Kuldeep Yadav – The Sole Indian with Two ODI Hat-Tricks
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Kuldeep Yadav is the only Indian player when it comes to completing two ODI hat-tricks. This has a lot to say about his dominance in the shorter format of the game.
First ODI Hat-Trick: vs Australia in 2017 at Kolkata, Kuldeep dismissed Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar, and Pat Cummins.
Second ODI Hat-Trick: Came in 2019 against the West Indies in Visakhapatnam, where he dismissed Shai Hope, Jason Holder, and Alzarri Joseph.
His unique talent as a left-arm chinaman bowler has been an asset to India’s spin bowling attack and a highlight among white-ball cricketers.
4. Mohammed Shami – World Cup Glory with a Hat-Trick (2019)
In the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, Shami became an Indian hat-trick hero for the first time. It was in a breathtaking match against Afghanistan at Southampton where Shami dramatically accomplished the feat under pressure, dismissing Mohammad Nabi, Aftab Alam, and Mujeeb ur Rahman off consecutive balls.
Shami won the match for India, but it was not just that important; he showed he is a match-winner and can perform under pressure in Key Situations. This hat-trick was a significant moment and he added to it with a spell of quality fast-bowling that teammate Virat Kohli quoted after the match that it was the “best performance he has witnessed in ODIs”!.
The Legacy of Indian ODI Hat-Tricks
Securing an ODI hat-trick is one of the rarest and most celebrated accomplishments in international cricket. From Chetan Sharma’s historic breakthrough in the 1987 World Cup to Kuldeep Yadav’s double feat and Shami’s World Cup brilliance, each instance reflects the growing strength and depth of India’s bowling unit.
These storied performances have inspired the forthcoming generation of Indian bowlers. As Indian cricket continues to shape itself, the names are expected to increase in this elite club, but for the present, these four are proud champions of this unforgettable feat.
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