Indian Players With Hat-Tricks

The story of Indian cricket is filled with moments of brilliance, and the legacy of hat-tricks in Test cricket is one such chapter. Three Indian bowlers—Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Jasprit Bumrah—have etched their names in history with this rare achievement, leaving a lasting impact on the game. Let’s have a look at the three hat-tricks that have shaped India's cricketing narrative.

Harbhajan Singh’s Historic Hat-Trick Against Australia (2001)

On March 11, 2001, Harbhajan Singh became the first Indian bowler to claim a hat-trick in Test cricket, achieving this feat in a dramatic Border-Gavaskar Trophy match against Australia. India had lost the first Test in Mumbai, and the visitors were poised to extend their record of 16 consecutive Test wins as they dominated the match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Steve Waugh's Australia had a strong start, with Michael Slater and Matthew Hayden forging a 103-run opening stand. Even after India broke through, Australia remained in control at 254/4. But then Harbhajan stepped up. In a stunning display of spin bowling, he trapped Ricky Ponting lbw with a flat delivery, followed by dismissing Adam Gilchrist, also lbw, though replays later showed an inside edge. With Shane Warne next at the crease, Harbhajan flighted the ball beautifully, and Sadagoppan Ramesh made a brilliant catch at short leg to complete the hat-trick. The Eden Gardens crowd erupted as Harbhajan's hat-trick turned the game around.

India, after following on, mounted a miraculous comeback in their second innings, thanks to an iconic 376-run stand between VVS Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180). The hosts set a target of 384, and Australia, from a comfortable 166/3, crumbled to 212 all out, handing India a historic 171-run victory. Harbhajan finished with 7/123, and India ended Australia’s winning streak, becoming only the third team to win a Test after following on.

Reflecting on the hat-trick, Harbhajan later said, "It was a very special moment in my life. That hat-trick gave me a lot of recognition and belief that I could perform at the highest level against top teams."

Irfan Pathan’s Hat-Trick Against Pakistan (2006)

In 2006, India toured Pakistan, and Irfan Pathan’s hat-trick in the Karachi Test remains one of the most memorable moments of the series. India won the toss and opted to bowl first, with Pathan leading the attack. 

He started with an inswinger that found Salman Butt’s edge, and Rahul Dravid completed the catch at first slip. With momentum on his side, Pathan then produced a perfect in-ducker to trap Younis Khan lbw. His third victim was Mohammad Yousuf, who was bowled by a sharp inswinger that breached his defence and uprooted the stumps. In the span of three deliveries, Pathan had dismantled Pakistan’s top order, becoming only the second Indian to achieve a hat-trick in Test cricket.

Despite Pathan’s brilliance, Pakistan mounted a strong comeback, eventually defeating India by 341 runs. Nevertheless, Irfan’s hat-trick remains a highlight of his career and a defining moment in the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry.

Jasprit Bumrah’s Hat-Trick Against West Indies (2019)

In 2019, Jasprit Bumrah cemented his status as India’s premier fast bowler with a sensational hat-trick against the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. Having already taken five wickets in the second innings of the first Test, Bumrah continued his dominant form in the second Test.

It started with Darren Bravo’s dismissal, caught at second slip for four runs. Bumrah then trapped Shamarh Brooks and Roston Chase lbw for golden ducks with consecutive deliveries, completing his hat-trick. His spell of 6-16 in just 9.1 overs demolished the West Indian batting lineup, as India cruised to victory. Bumrah became only the third Indian to claim a Test hat-trick, joining Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan in the elite club.

A Legacy of Hat-Tricks in Indian Cricket

These three hat-tricks showcase the remarkable talent of India’s bowlers across generations. Harbhajan’s breakthrough performance, Pathan’s early assault on Pakistan, and Bumrah’s relentless pace against the West Indies all symbolise India's rich bowling heritage in Test cricket. These moments are not only etched in the memories of cricket fans but also serve as milestones in the evolution of Indian cricket on the global stage.