Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav on Thursday became only the third Indian bowler and the first Indian spinner to take a hat-trick in one-day internationals. The young mystery bowler achieved the magnificent feat against Australia in the second ODI of the five-match series played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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 registerd a 50-run win over Australia to take a 2-0 lead in the series. Chasing 253 on a tricky surface, Australia once again had no answer to the guile of wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal (2/34) and Yadav (3/54), who struck at crucial junctures to bundle out the opposition for 202 in 43.1 overs.
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.
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.
