In the high-octane, batsman-dominated world of the IPL, taking three wickets in three consecutive balls is a rare and game-changing feat. It’s a moment of pure magic that can turn a match on its head and etch a bowler's name into history.
The Hat-Trick King: Amit Mishra
No bowler in
the history of the Indian Premier League has mastered the art of the hat-trick quite like Amit Mishra. The leg-spinner stands alone with a record three hat-tricks to his name, each for a different franchise, showcasing his incredible skill and longevity. His first came in the inaugural 2008 season for Delhi Daredevils against the Deccan Chargers. He followed that up in 2011, this time playing for the Deccan Chargers against Kings XI Punjab. His record-breaking third hat-trick was for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013 against Pune Warriors India, a performance that sealed a dramatic win in a low-scoring thriller. This unique achievement of taking three hat-tricks for three different teams solidifies his legacy as the undisputed king of this phenomenal feat.
The All-Rounder's Double: Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh is remembered as one of India’s greatest white-ball batsmen, but in the 2009 IPL season, he made history with the ball. Playing for Kings XI Punjab, Yuvraj became the only bowler to take two hat-tricks in a single IPL season. His first came against Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he dismissed Robin Uthappa, Jacques Kallis, and Mark Boucher. Just a couple of weeks later, he did it again, this time against the Deccan Chargers in a nail-biting one-run victory, with his victims being Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Symonds, and Venugopal Rao. His twin triumphs in 2009 remain a unique and celebrated part of IPL folklore.
The Trailblazer: Lakshmipathy Balaji
Every great list has a beginning, and the story of IPL hat-tricks started with Lakshmipathy Balaji. In the league's very first season in 2008, the Chennai Super Kings seamer etched his name in the history books by claiming the first ever IPL hattrick. The memorable moment came against Kings XI Punjab in the final over of the match. Balaji dismissed Irfan Pathan, Piyush Chawla, and VRV Singh on consecutive deliveries to seal an 18 run victory for his team and finish with figures of 5/24. It was a pioneering performance that set the standard for bowling excellence in the tournament.
The Unlikely Heroes
The list of hat trick takers features some surprising names, none more so than Rohit Sharma. Primarily known for his masterful batting, Rohit claimed a hat trick in 2009 for the Deccan Chargers against the team he would later lead to five titles, the Mumbai Indians. His part time off spin accounted for Abhishek Nayar, Harbhajan Singh, and JP Duminy. Another notable entry is Shreyas Gopal, who in 2019 claimed arguably the most star studded hat trick ever. Playing for Rajasthan Royals, he dismissed the Royal Challengers Bangalore trio of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Marcus Stoinis. These moments prove that in the IPL, anyone can become a hero with the ball.
The Global Stars
The IPL hat trick club is not exclusive to Indian players. The first overseas player to achieve the feat was South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini for Chennai Super Kings in 2008. Since then, a host of international stars have joined him. Australian all rounder Shane Watson (2014), West Indian Sunil Narine (2013), and England s Sam Curran (2019) have all left their mark. Curran s hat trick was particularly unique as it was spread across two different overs. More recently, Afghan superstar Rashid Khan joined the list in 2023, bamboozling the Kolkata Knight Riders with his leg spin. These performances highlight the global talent that makes the IPL so compelling.
