Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav said it was a special moment for him to take a hat-trick in the second of the five-match series against Australia in Kolkata. The young wrist spinner on Thursday became the first Indian spinner and only the third bowler from the country to bag a hat-trick in the one-day international cricket. "This is special for me, changed the game for us. Really proud moment," Kuldeep said after the match.
Kuldeep removed Mathew Wade (2), Ashton Agar (0) and Pat Cummins (0) in successive deliveries to record his name into the history books as India (252) defeated Australia (202) by 50 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
The 22-year-old Kuldeep is the third Indian bowler after Chetan Sharma and Kapil Dev to take a hat-trick in ODI cricket. Chetan Sharma, a former India medium pacer, achieved the feat against New Zealand in 1987. Meanwhile, former India captain Kapil Dev took a hat-trick against Sri Lanka in 1991.
Kuldeep said he had never thought of taking a hat-trick in ODI cricket. asked Mahendra Singh Dhoni before bowling the hat-trick bowl.
"Not really (could never dream it). Initially I was struggling to bowl in a particular area. It's a game of cricket, everything happens. Last match, where I was hit for three sixes in an over, was a learning experience.
The 22-year-old also revealed that he asked Mahendra Singh Dhoni before bowling the hat-trick bowl.
"I asked Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) what I should bowl, he said 'tujhe jaisa lagta hai wo daal (bowl what you want)," he said.
Here's a recap of Kuldeep's feat:
32.4 overs: OUT! HAT-TRICK FOR KULDEEP YADAV! And the entire Eden Gardens is up on its feet. What a feat for this man, the feeling would be totally different. All his mates barge towards him. Bowls a googly and Cummins lunges forward to defend it. The ball turns away a bit, takes the outside edge and Dhoni behind the stumps doesn't make any mistake. It's the 3rd hat-trick for India in the ODIs. Australia in dire straits now. AUS 148/8 in 33 overs
32.3 overs: OUT! LBW! It's two-in-two for Kuldeep Yadav now. All of a sudden the Aussies are falling here like a pack of cards. Bowls a loopy ball, Agar looks to flick it away but the ball dips in and hit him on the pads right in front of the stumps. A loud appeal to which umpire raises his finger, after taking his time. Ashton confers Stoinis if he should opt for the review, his partner says no and gives him the marching order. Can Yadav pick up a hat-trick? AUS 148/7 in 32.3 overs
32.2 overs: OUT! Dragged on! Kuldeep Yadav picks up his first and Kohli has something to say to Wade. A banter happened when the skipper was batting and he gives it back. Yadav bowls it short and a bit wide outside off, Wade gets across a long way to push it away but gets an inside edge back onto the stumps. 105 needed from 106 balls. AUS 148/6 in 32.2 overs
