First IPL Hat-trick – Who Was the First Player to Take a Hat-trick in IPL History?

In the world of cricket, a hat-trick is an extraordinary feat, especially in T20 matches like the Indian Premier League (IPL). Securing a hat-trick—getting three batsmen out on consecutive deliveries—is a rare achievement that requires a mix of skill, precision, and confidence. Over the years, the IPL has seen 22 hat-tricks by 19 different bowlers, making it an exhilarating part of the tournament.

Notably, Amit Mishra holds the record with three IPL hat-tricks, and Yuvraj Singh has two to his name. But the distinction of claiming the first hat-trick in IPL history belongs to an exceptional Indian bowler, Lakshmipathy Balaji, in the 2008 season. Let’s delve into how Balaji made history, and answer the question: Who was the first overseas player to take a hat-trick in IPL history?

Lakshmipathy Balaji’s Historic Hat-trick in IPL 2008

The debut season of the IPL was in 2008, and it was during this season that Lakshmipathy Balaji etched his name in cricket history. On May 10, 2008, during the 31st match of the season, Balaji was representing the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as they faced off against Kings XI Punjab at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Known as a versatile bowler with the ability to swing the ball both ways, Balaji displayed an exceptional performance, capturing the league’s first hat-trick and ending with impressive figures of 5 for 24.

Setting the Stage: Chennai Super Kings vs. Kings XI Punjab

Batting first, Chennai Super Kings posted a competitive score of 181/4. The key contributors were S Badrinath, who scored a solid 64 off 47 balls, and the captain MS Dhoni, who finished with an explosive 60 not out. In 2008, scoring beyond 180 in T20 matches was still challenging, giving CSK a strong chance to defend their total. However, Kings XI Punjab, known for their fighting spirit, put up a resilient chase.

The Chase and the Turning Point

For Kings XI Punjab, Shaun Marsh gave a great start, hammering 58 runs off 38 balls to keep his team in contention. As the match continued, the target began to look within reach for Punjab. However, Balaji had different plans.

In the 12th over, he dismissed Ramnaresh Sarwan to claim his first wicket, and shortly after, he removed the dangerous Shaun Marsh. Despite these breakthroughs, Kings XI Punjab still held onto a chance, thanks to Irfan Pathan’s big hits in the latter stages of the match. With 27 runs needed off the last over and both Pathan and Piyush Chawla at the crease, the tension was high.

The Magic Over: Balaji’s Hat-trick

With the pressure mounting, Balaji was tasked with bowling the crucial 20th over. His first delivery was struck by Pathan for a massive six over deep square leg, followed by a couple of runs on the next ball. The scoreboard pressure was starting to ease for Punjab.

But Balaji then executed a slower ball that deceived Pathan, leading to a simple catch taken by Suresh Raina. The next delivery, Piyush Chawla couldn’t resist but hit a full toss straight to long-off, becoming Balaji’s fourth victim. Now, he was on a hat-trick.

For the hat-trick ball, Balaji bowled a clever short-pitched delivery outside off-stump. VRV Singh couldn’t read it properly, and a top-edge led the ball safely into the gloves of MS Dhoni. The crowd erupted as Balaji celebrated the first-ever hat-trick in IPL history.

Impact and Legacy of Balaji’s Hat-trick

Lakshmipathy Balaji’s hat-trick wasn’t just a personal achievement; it set a precedent in IPL for future bowlers. His 5/24 performance not only led CSK to an 18-run victory over Kings XI Punjab but also showcased the potential for bowlers to shine in the fast-paced T20 format.

Balaji’s feat gave CSK fans a memorable moment and set the tone for future stars to achieve milestones in IPL bowling. For more such records, check out the List of Hat-Tricks in the History of IPL.

Who Was the First Overseas Player to Take a Hat-trick in IPL?

The distinction of being the first overseas player to take a hat-trick in IPL goes to Makhaya Ntini, a South African pacer known for his pace and aggression. Like Balaji, Ntini also represented Chennai Super Kings and achieved his hat-trick in the same 2008 season.

Playing against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Ntini dismissed Sourav Ganguly, Debabrata Das, and David Hussey to complete his hat-trick. His spell ended with figures of 4 for 21, and CSK emerged victorious by a narrow margin in a rain-affected game, winning by just three runs (D/L method).

Notable Hat-tricks in IPL 2008

The inaugural IPL season was thrilling, with three players achieving hat-tricks:

1. Lakshmipathy Balaji (CSK vs. Kings XI Punjab) – May 10, 2008
2. Amit Mishra (Delhi Capitals vs. Deccan Chargers) – Mishra picked up his first of three IPL hat-tricks by dismissing Ravi Teja, Pragyan Ojha, and RP Singh.
3. Makhaya Ntini (CSK vs. KKR) – Ntini’s hat-trick made him the first overseas bowler in IPL to accomplish this.