A hat-trick in his first match in World Cup 2019 will put Indian team management in a fix- having to choose between Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar once the latter gets fit.
India's Mohammed Shami (L) celebrates after the dismissal of Afghanistan's Aftab Alam during the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between India and Afghanistan at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, southern England, on June 22, 2019. (Photo by SAEED KHAN / AFP)
Indian fast bowler Chetan Sharma became the first bowler to pick up a hat-trick in a World Cup. Chetan had picked up a hat-trick against New Zealand in the 1987 World Cup.
In the last group stage match, India were up against the Kiwis in which Chetan Sharma dismissed Ken Rutherford, Ian Smith and Ewen Chatfield in successive deliveries to claim a hat-trick.
A total of 10 hat-tricks have been taken in World Cups
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In the history of World Cups, a total of 10 hat-tricks have been taken till date. Post Chetan Sharma, Saqlain Mushtaq, Chaminda Vaas, Brett Lee, Lasith Malinga (twice), Kemar Roach, Steven Finn, JP Duminy and Mohammed Shami have achieved the milestone.
Malinga has done it twice
Sri Lanka’s veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga has taken two hat-tricks in World Cup. While first of those came against South Africa in 2007, he did it again against Kenya in 2011.
| Bowler | Opponent | Year |
| Chetan Sharma (India) | New Zealand | 1987 |
| Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan) | Zimbabwe | 1999 |
| Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka) | Bangladesh | 2003 |
| Brett Lee (Australia) | Kenya | 2003 |
| Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) | South Africa | 2007 |
| Kemar Roach (West Indies) | Netherland | 2011 |
| Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) | Kenya | 2011 |
| Steven Finn (England) | Australia | 2015 |
| JP Duminy (South Africa) | Sri Lanka | 2015 |
| Mohammed Shami (India) | Afghanistan | 2019 |
Shami entered the list when he picked up a hat-trick off the last over of the match between India and Afghanistan and ensured India win the match by 11 runs.
It is to be noted that Shami was not part of India’s preferred Playing XI and only a forced change due to an injury to Bhuvneshwar Kumar drafted him into the side. A hat-trick in his first match in World Cup 2019 will put Indian team management in a fix- having to choose between Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar once the latter gets fit.
India play West Indies next on 27 June, Thursday.
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