GT vs KKR: Rashid Khan takes first hat-trick of IPL 2023

The Indian Premier League season 16 has been an exhilarating tournament so far as the fans have got to see some incredible matches. The Match no 13 was no different as Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders locked horns at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

A game that had marvellous batting performances of Sai Sudharsan, Vijay Shankar and Venkatesh Iyer, it was Rashid Khan who stole the limelight with his hat-trick at a crucial juncture of the game. Captaining the side in the match, the 24-year-old picked up the prized scalps of Andre Russel, Sunil Narine and Shardul Thakur to turn the match on its head.

The match was hanging in balance as KKR were on 155/5 after 16 overs needing 50 runs in the last 24 balls with Russell and Rinku Singh at the crease. Considering KKR’s performance in the last match, they were the favourites to win the game.

However, Rashid Khan had other ideas as he dismissed the dangerous Russell for just 1(2) on just the first ball of his over. Narine was the second in line as he got holed out to deep mid-wicket on the second ball of the over. The wrist spinner brought out the most lethal weapon from his armoury and bowled a wrong-un to Thakur, who was the player of the match in the last game and trapped him in front of the stumps to complete a hat-trick.

It was the 22nd hat trick taken in the history of IPL and Rashid became the 19th bowler overall to achieve the feat. However, there was another twist in the tale as there was still hope in the KKR camp as Rinku Singh was still at the crease.

Rinku Singh scripted improbable win for KKR

The game seemed almost finished as KKR needed 29 off the last over with Umesh Yadav on strike. The seamer gave the strike back to Singh on the first ball by Yash Dayal. What followed was absolute carnage as Singh scripted a miraculous victory for Kolkata by smacking five consecutive sixes off the last five balls.

The southpaw remained unbeaten on 48 off 21 balls as the entire KKR camp ran to the pitch to celebrate the improbable victory.