How India’s Test Hat-tricks have unfolded?

 Harbhajan Singh became the first Indian to take a Test match hat-trick on March 11, 2001. In what would become a historic victory against Australia at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Harbhajan achieved the feat on the first day of the game. Ricky Pointing, Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne were the victims of Harbhajan’s hat-trick.

Nearly five years after Harbhajan’s hat-trick, Irfan Pathan became the second Indian to take a Test hat-trick. He dismissed Salman Butt, Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf in the very first over of the Test match against Pakistan at Karachi, Pakistan starting on January 29, 2006. India, however, lost this game as Pakistan won by 341 runs.

Bumrah became the third Indian and the latest entrant into the hat-trick club in Test cricket when he achieved the feat in the second Test against West Indies at Kingston, Jamaica. On August 31, 2019 – the second day of the Test match – Bumrah accounted for Darren Bravo, Sharmarh Brooks and Roston Chase off consecutive deliveries. India went on to win the match by 257 runs.

Darren Bravo was the first wicket in Bumrah’s hat-trick. Bumrah’s length ball that was swinging away from the left-hander, kissed the high part of the outside edge of the bat. K L Rahul did the rest, completing an easy catch at second slip.

Sharmarh Brooks was the second to be dismissed, given lbw to a length ball that thudded into his pads, swinging in from outside the off stump. It looked plumb, but Brooks chose to use the Decision Review System. It only meant that the Windies lost a review as the umpire’s decision stood.

A full inswinger that got Roston Chase on the toes completed Bumrah’s hat-trick. Even though the umpire was unmoved this time and Bumrah’s wasn’t even keen on reviewing, Virat Kohli immediately signalled for it. As the three reds for pitching, impact and hitting the wickets came on, Chase had no choice but to walk off, lbw.

 

Picture Credit : Google