Sam Curran takes 18th hat-trick in IPL history, gives Kings XI Punjab unlikely win

Delhi Capitals were cruising towards victory in the game against Kings XI Punjab at the IS Bindra stadium in Mohali. However, Mohammed Shami picked up two wickets to give Kings XI Punjab some hope. It was Sam Curran, though, who changed the entire complexion of the game. He picked up the wicket of Colin Ingram for 39 and snapped up Harshal Patel (0). When Shami sent back Hanuma Vihari for 2, the collapse was well and truly on for Delhi Capitals. With Curran picking up the wickets of Kagiso Rabada and Sandeep Lamichhane, the 20-year-old England all-rounder picked up the 18^th hat-trick in the history of the IPL. Curran became the youngest to take a four-wicket haul in the IPL and his spell of 4/11 helped Kings XI Punjab secure an unlikely 14-run win against Delhi Capitals at Mohali. 

The defeat of Delhi Capitals led to many social media users trolling the team mercilessly. Some commented that the presence of many South African players in the side resulted in this epic choke. One user went to the extreme to say this was not the first time Delhi had choked because of Punjab, in reference to the stubble burning in Punjab which led to increased pollution levels in Delhi. However, all the attention was on Curran, who had impressed for England in the five-Test series against India in 2018 which England won 4-1. 

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Laxmipathy Balaji is the first bowler to take a hat-trick in the Indian Premier League, having achieved the feat against Kings XI Punjab for Chennai Super Kings in the 2008 edition of the tournament. Yuvraj Singh became the first bowler to take two hat-tricks in the same edition of the tournament. Playing for Kings XI Punjab in the 2009 IPL in South Africa, Yuvraj took a hat-trick against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Deccan Chargers. 

However, the record for the most hat-tricks in the IPL belongs to legspinner Amit Mishra. Playing for Delhi Daredevils in the 2008 edition, Mishra secured his first hat-trick against the Deccan Chargers. In 2011, playing for the Deccan Chargers, Mishra matched Yuvraj's feat and took a hat-trick against Kings XI Punjab. Mishra created history while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad when he took a hat-trick against Pune Warriors in the 2012 edition of the IPL, making him the first player to take a hat-trick of hat-tricks. 

Curran became the third Kings XI Punjab player after Yuvraj and Axar Patel to take a hat-trick. The Gujarat left-arm spinner took three consecutive wickets against Gujarat Lions in the 2016 IPL. Curran is the sixth overseas player and the first England player to take a hat-trick in the IPL. Makhaya Ntini was the first foreign player to take a hat-trick playing for Chennai Super Kings against Kolkata Knight Riders in the first IPL. Sunil Narine, playing for Kolkata Knight Riders, took a hat-trick against Kings XI Punjab in the 2013 IPL while Shane Watson, playing for Rajasthan Royals, achieved the feat against Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2014. 

Samuel Badree and Andrew Tye took hat-tricks for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Lions respectively in the 2017 IPL. The unique thing was that the feat was achieved on the same day. Curran's feat has only enhanced his reputation as one of the most promising youngsters in the game currently.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sam Curran became the first England player to take a hat-trick in IPL 2019.
• Curran became the third Kings XI Punjab player to take a hat-trick in IPL.
• Curran is the sixth overseas player to take a hat-trick in the IPL.