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When Three Balls Changed Everything
Hat-tricks are rare. But unexpected hat-tricks? They’re magic.
We expect hat-tricks from legends like Malinga or Bumrah. But what happens when an unknown bowler, or someone out of form, picks three in three? The crowd goes silent. The commentator screams. And cricket adds another twist in its wild, unpredictable story.
This list isn’t just about skill — it’s about shock. Here are the top 10 most unexpected hat-tricks in cricket, where surprise and brilliance collided.
1. Peter Siddle – vs England, 2010 (Ashes Birthday Surprise)
On his birthday, the Aussie pacer delivered an absolute shocker. He dismissed Alastair Cook, Matt Prior, and Stuart Broad — all in a fiery burst.
Why It Was Unexpected: Siddle wasn’t known for explosive spells or dramatic flair.
2. Wasim Akram – vs Sri Lanka, 1999 (Two Hat-Tricks in One Series)
The king of swing struck twice — not once — in one series! While Akram was a legend, two hat-tricks in one series stunned everyone.
Unexpected Hat-Trick Moment: Even greats rarely take two hat-tricks in such short span.
3. Andrew Caddick – vs West Indies, 2000
In a Test match, Caddick took four wickets in one over — including a hat-trick — ripping through Lara & Co. completely out of nowhere.
Shock Factor: Caddick had been out of the spotlight for a while before this miracle.
4. Kuldeep Yadav – vs Australia, 2017 (ODI Hat-Trick in India)
India’s first left-arm wrist spinner shocked even the Aussies. His hat-trick at Eden Gardens turned the game on its head.
Why It Was Unexpected: Kuldeep was still new; Aussies couldn’t read his variations.
5. Lasith Malinga – vs New Zealand, 2019 (4 in 4 Balls!)
The slinger returned with vintage heat — four wickets in four balls against NZ in a T20I. Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Surprise Element: Many thought Malinga was past his prime.
6. Taijul Islam – vs Zimbabwe, 2014 (Test Debut Hat-Trick)
He became the first cricketer in history to take a hat-trick on Test debut. Yes, it was Zimbabwe, but the feat? Unreal.
Unexpected Hat-Trick Alert: Debutants aren’t supposed to do this.
7. Rashid Khan – vs Ireland, 2019 (T20 Hat-Trick + One More)
Rashid took 4 wickets in 4 balls, shocking Ireland and re-writing T20 records.
Why It Stands Out: Even in his genius, this burst was wild and unexpected.
8. Mohammed Shami – vs Afghanistan, 2019 World Cup
Afghanistan almost pulled off an upset — until Shami’s hat-trick in the final over sealed the win for India.
Unexpected Hat-Trick Twist: Shami wasn’t in India’s original XI for the tournament.
9. Chaminda Vaas – vs Bangladesh, 2003 (First 3 Balls of a Match)
Vaas created chaos — a hat-trick in the first three balls of the innings. Yes, really.
Historic Shock: Fastest hat-trick in ODI history. Total carnage.
10. Jerome Taylor – vs Australia, 2006 Champions Trophy
Taylor wasn’t known as a wicket-taking machine. But this time, he destroyed the Aussies with a dream hat-trick that shocked the cricketing world.
Unexpected Hat-Trick Glory: Took out elite Aussie batters in a knockout game.
Three Deliveries. One Legacy.
The beauty of cricket lies in the unpredictable. And these unexpected hat-tricks show just how suddenly games can change. Whether it’s a debutant or a declining legend, all it takes is three perfect deliveries.
When history is written in cricket, it doesn’t ask for your reputation — it asks for your moment. And these bowlers delivered it, stunning the world in just three balls.
FAQ: Unexpected Hat-Tricks in Cricket
❓ What is an unexpected hat-trick in cricket?
A hat-trick is when a bowler takes three wickets in three consecutive balls. It becomes unexpected when it’s taken by a debutant, underdog, or a bowler not known for such feats.
❓ Who has taken the most surprising hat-trick in cricket history?
Chaminda Vaas holds the record for the most shocking hat-trick — taking it in the first three balls of an ODI innings.
❓ Has anyone taken a hat-trick on debut?
Yes. Taijul Islam took a hat-trick on his Test debut for Bangladesh in 2014 against Zimbabwe.
❓ How rare are hat-tricks in cricket?
Extremely rare. In over 4,000 ODIs and 2,000 Tests, only a handful of unexpected hat-tricks have occurred — most still talked about today.