Rohit-Prasidh script rare hat-trick of catches-wickets in Chennai ODI
What's the story
In a remarkable display of teamwork, Rohit Sharma and Prasidh Krishna produced an extraordinary feat during the third ODI against Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The Indian pacer wreaked havoc on Afghanistan's top order after they chose to bat first. All three dismissals were through the same Rohit-Prasidh combination, creating a rare hat-trick of catches and wickets in the opening eight overs of the match.
Bowling brilliance
How Rohit-Prasidh combination worked for India
Krishna made an immediate impact by dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz with the first ball of his spell. The right-arm pacer got just enough movement outside off stump as Gurbaz pushed at the delivery and edged it straight to Rohit at first slip. In the sixth over, Krishna struck again when he bowled a testing back-of-a-length delivery to Rahmat Shah, who attempted to work it toward the leg side but only managed a leading edge which Rohit caught cleanly.
Hat-trick details
A unique hat-trick
The unique hat-trick was completed in the eighth over when Ibrahim Zadran became Krishna's third victim. Looking to drive on the up, Ibrahim edged it to first slip where Rohit took his third catch of the innings. This way, Rohit and Krishna scripted a rare triple combination with all three Afghanistan wickets falling in identical fashion through catches at first slip.
Feat
Third pair with this feat
As per Cricbuzz, Rohit became the third Indian fielder to take three catches off a bowler in an ODI. He has joined VVS Laxman (off Irfan Pathan vs Zimbabwe, 2004) and Shikhar Dhawan (off Jasprit Bumrah vs Bangladesh, 2018). The opener also became the fourth Indian fielder to effect the first three dismissals in an ODI. Sourav Ganguly (vs West Indies, 2002), Manoj Tiwary (vs West Indies, 2011), and Suresh Raina (vs Sri Lanka, 2013) are the others on this unique list.
Feat
Krishna joins this club
Krishna was the standout performer in the powerplay as his first five overs in the game resulted in just six runs and four wickets (2 maidens). He became just the sixth Indian to claim at least four wickets in the first 10 overs of an ODI. The others on this list are Mohammed Siraj (twice), Javagal Srinath, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh. Meanwhile, Siraj happens to be the only Indian with a fifer on this list.