Here's Why Kagiso Rabada Missed Out On A Hat-trick Despite Taking 3 Wickets On 3 Consecutive Legal Deliveries

Kagiso Rabada starred with the ball on Friday as Delhi Capitals beat SunRisers Hyderabad by 17 runs to storm into the final of IPL for the first time. Delhi Capitals will lock horns against defending champions and four-time winners Mumbai Indians in the final on November 10.

The South Africa pacer took 4 wickets for 29 runs off his four overs and also took the lead in the Purple Cap’s race. He now has 29 wickets in 16 games, two wickets ahead of second-placed Jasprit Bumrah. Both the bowlers will be up against each other in the final.

Talking about the game, Delhi Capitals scored 189 for 3 in the allotted 20 overs after Shreyas Iyer won the toss and decided to bat first. Shikhar Dhawan top-scored for the side, scoring 78 while Marcus Stoinis (38) and Shimron Hetmyer (42*) also played crucial knocks.

In reply, SRH ended their innings on 172 for 8. Kane Williamson top-scored for the side, scoring 67 off 45 balls. Abdul Samad also played a fine cameo of 33 from 16 balls.

Here’s why Kagiso Rabada missed out on a hat-trick:

Kagiso Rabada ended SRH’s hopes by picking three wickets on as many legal deliveries in the 19th over. The game was set for a thrilling finish with SRH needing 30 runs from the last two overs. With Abdul Samad looking in good touch and Rashid Khan capable of hitting the big shot, SRH were still in the game.

The over started on a good note too for SRH with Samad hitting the Proteas star’s second delivery for a six. But on the very next ball, Kagiso Rabada accounted for Samad before dismissing Rashid Khan and Shreevats Goswami on the following two deliveries.

But despite taking those three wickets on the three consecutive legal deliveries, it was not a hat-trick. Well the reason behind it was the wide bowl he bowled after claiming a wicket on the fourth ball. Although he immediately took a wicket the next ball, a wide in between two dismissals didn’t allow Kagiso Rabada to register a hat-trick.

According to the rules, a bowler has to take three wickets off three consecutive legal deliveries for it to be considered as a hat-trick. In this case, the Delhi pace spearhead bowled a wide and hence couldn’t achieve the feat.

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