In a recent IPL match between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rashid Khan created history by becoming the first player to take a hat-trick in the 2023 IPL season. Although Hardik Pandya, the Titans’ captain, was unwell and could not lead his team, Rashid stepped up and produced an exceptional performance to keep his team in the game.
At one point, the Knight Riders were well on their way to chasing down a target of 205. However, Rashid, who had conceded 35 runs in his first three overs, turned the game around by dismissing Andre Russell, Sunil Narine and Shardul Thakur in consecutive deliveries. This incredible feat by Rashid reduced KKR’s score from 155/4 to 155/7 and gave the Titans a fighting chance.
Because of Rashid’s heroics, the game seemed all but over for the Knight Riders as they needed 29 runs off the last over. However, the match took yet another dramatic turn when Rinku Singh smashed five successive sixes to secure an unlikely victory for KKR. This was an unprecedented achievement in IPL history and left the Titans in disbelief.
Here’s the video of Rashid’s hat-trick:
𝐇𝐀𝐓-𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐝 𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐧! 👏 👏
Andre Russell ✅
Sunil Narine ✅
Shardul Thakur ✅We have our first hat-trick of the #TATAIPL 2023 & it's that man – @rashidkhan_19! 🙌 🙌
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/G8bESXjTyh#TATAIPL | #GTvKKR | @gujarat_titans pic.twitter.com/fJTg0yuVwu
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 9, 2023
Rashid, who is a seasoned leg-spinner with four hat-tricks in T20 cricket, celebrated his historic performance by sprinting around the field. Although the Titans ultimately lost the game, Rashid’s hat-trick will be remembered as one of the greatest moments in IPL history and a testament to his exceptional skills as a bowler.
