In a tournament like the IPL, a game can quickly change if a player has an outstanding performance. This often happens when a bowler takes a hat-trick during the match, making it hard for the other team to recover from losing wickets so fast.
Hat-tricks are not very common in the IPL, and some seasons go by without a single one. However, in a few seasons, we have seen several hat-tricks. In this article, we’ll list all the hat-tricks that have happened in IPL history.
10. Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine, known as a T20 specialist spinner, has excelled with variations like knuckleballs and carrom balls and can also score quick runs with the bat. Key to Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, Narine is the highest overseas wicket-taker among spinners and a frequent pinch-hitting opener.
9. Ajit Chandila
Ajit Chandila, a tall offspinner, found success in domestic cricket with Air India, taking big wickets like VVS Laxman and MS Dhoni. He debuted for Haryana in 2010 and joined Delhi Daredevils before shining for Rajasthan Royals in 2012 with a hat-trick. Unfortunately, he faced scandal over alleged spot-fixing in 2013.
8. Amit Mishra
Amit Mishra’s classical leg-spin, marked by flight and sharp leg breaks, impressed early in his career. Despite this, he faced tough competition from Kumble and Harbhajan. Making his Test debut in 2008, he took five wickets on debut against Australia. Though he struggled to secure a permanent international spot, Mishra has shined in the IPL, becoming the only bowler with three hat-tricks for three different teams. His strong form in domestic matches and IPL has kept him in the spotlight, while his Test career saw notable performances during India’s 2015 tour of Sri Lanka.
7. Praveen Kumar
Praveen Kumar had the skills to be a domestic cricket star. He could swing the ball, bowl long spells, and knew how to take wickets on tough Indian pitches. He was India’s top bowler during the 2011 England Test series and played well in ODIs. Praveen started his career in club cricket at 19 and was known as a “magician” for his swinging ability. In his first Ranji season, he took 41 wickets and scored 386 runs, helping his team win. Despite injuries, he played for Uttar Pradesh and several IPL teams, joining the Gujarat Lions in 2016. Praveen is also known for his temper but has learned to control it.
6. Yuvraj Singh
When Yuvraj Singh is in form, he hits the ball powerfully. However, when he struggles, he looks awkward. He has performed better in limited-overs cricket than in Tests, especially after his recovery from cancer in 2012. Yuvraj was a key player in India’s World Cup win in 2011, but he faced challenges in his Test career and later struggled with form and fitness. Despite ups and downs, he remained a sought-after player in the IPL. After a strong domestic season, he made a comeback to the ODI team in 2017, showing that he still has talent.
5. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma, known for his smooth batting style, became a star in white-ball cricket after starting in Mumbai. Though it took time for his talent to shine, he became a top player by the 2010s. As captain of the Mumbai Indians, he led them to six IPL titles and earned the nickname “Hitman” for his big sixes.
Also Read: Top 5 Bowlers with the Best Strike Rates in Modern Test Cricket
4. Axar Patel
Axar Patel is a left-arm spinner who has become a useful lower-order batsman, making him a bowling allrounder. He debuted in first-class cricket with Gujarat and helped India Under-23s win a title in 2013. After playing for Mumbai Indians, he impressed with Kings XI Punjab before joining Delhi Capitals in 2019.
3. Makhaya Ntini
Makhaya Ntini wasn’t your typical fast bowler, lacking speed and perfect accuracy. However, he took nearly 400 Test wickets through hard work and determination. Emerging from a poor background, he became South Africa’s first black African international cricketer. After overcoming legal troubles, he had a successful career and left a lasting legacy.
2. Andrew Tye
Andrew Tye is a skilled death bowler and a powerful lower-order batter known for his knuckleball. He started his professional career at 26 and made his T20I debut three years later. In 2017, he took three hat-tricks. By the 2021-22 season, he reached 100 BBL wickets with the Perth Scorchers.
1.Lakshmipathy Balaji
L. Balaji never gives up. After a tough start to his career, where he struggled in his debut, he became one of India’s top fast bowlers during the 2003-04 tour of Pakistan. Despite a serious back injury that nearly ended his career, he made a strong comeback in 2008-09, taking 11 wickets for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. His persistence and skill earned him a place in the national team again. Balaji’s bowling style is tricky, making it hard for batsmen to face him, and even after surgery, he maintained his effectiveness on the field.
| Player | Bowling Figures | Against | Year |
| Sunil Narine | 3/33 | KXIP | 2013 |
| Ajit Chandila | 4/13 | PWI | 2012 |
| Amit Mishra | 4/9 | KXIP | 2011 |
| Praveen Kumar | 3/18 | RR | 2010 |
| Yuvraj Singh | 3/13 | DEC | 2009 |
| Rohit Sharma | 4/6 | MI | 2009 |
| Axar Patel | 4/21 | GL | 2016 |
| Makhaya Ntini | 4/21 | KKR | 2008 |
| Andrew Tye | 5/17 | RPS | 2017 |
| Lakshmipathy Balaji | 5/24 | KXIP | 2008 |
Also Read: 5 Fastest Test Matches in History