Axar Patel was not inches milimtres away from becoming the first-ever Indian to take a hat-trick in an ICC Champions Trophy match. However, Rohit Sharma’s massive error kept Axar’s dream away from him against Bangladesh in Dubai. The moment came in the ninth over when Axar was on fire, having dismissed Tanzid Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim in consecutive deliveries. With history on the line, Axar Patel delivered a sharp delivery to Jaker Ali. It was another flighted delivery, drawing an outside edge that went straight to Rohit Sharma, who was stationed at first slip.
Rohit Sharma drops a simple dolly
The Indian skipper didn’t have to move much to reach to the ball and even got his hands to it. However, the ball travelled at a slower rate than he anticipated and dropped a catch that carried the weight of Axar’s emotions. But Rohit dropped a dolly. He immediately realized the gravity of his mistake, slamming his hand on the turf in frustration. Axar, who had already turned away in celebration, was left in disbelief as the chance went begging. The bowler could only watch as Jaker survived what should have been a moment of history. Watch the drop catch below.
Rohit Sharma, what have you done? That was the hat-trick ball
— 𝐒 𝐰 𝐚 𝐫 𝐚ᯓ (@SwaraMSDian) February 20, 2025
pic.twitter.com/nabU58MhWJ
Apparently, the ICC Champion Trophy has seen just one hat-trick so far that came for the West Indies when pacer Jerome Taylor bagged the feat against Australia in 2006.
What would’ve happened had Rohit Sharma didn’t drop Axar’s catch?
- First player with a hat-trick on debut in ICC ODI events
- First Indian spinner to take a hat-trick in men’s ICC events
- Second player to take a CT hat-trick (after Jerome Taylor in 2006)
- Second Indian spinner with an ODI hat-trick (after Kuldeep Yadav)
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