Indian Bowlers Miss Hat-Tricks in Consecutive 2025 Champions Trophy Matches

Near-Misses for Team India’s Bowlers in Back-to-Back Games In a rare turn of events during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, Indian bowlers Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav both came agonizingly close to achieving hat-tricks in consecutive matches. However, in both instances, they were denied the milestone by the narrowest of margins, leaving fans and teammates in disbelief.

Axar Patel’s Missed Hat-Trick Against Bangladesh

During India’s opening match against Bangladesh, left-arm spinner Axar Patel made an instant impact. Introduced in the ninth over, Axar dismissed Tanzid Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim off consecutive deliveries, both caught behind by KL Rahul. The anticipation grew as Axar prepared for the hat-trick ball, with the stadium holding its breath.

What happened next?

• Axar bowled a perfect delivery, forcing Jaker Ali into an edge.
• The ball traveled straight to first slip, where Rohit Sharma was waiting.
• In an unfortunate moment, Rohit spilled the catch, denying Axar a well-deserved hat-trick.

The Indian captain, visibly frustrated, apologized to Axar after the over, acknowledging that it was a catch he should have taken. The missed opportunity, however, did not stop India from securing a dominant six-wicket victory over Bangladesh.

Kuldeep Yadav’s Hat-Trick Opportunity Against Pakistan

In India’s second group-stage match against Pakistan, it was Kuldeep Yadav who found himself in a similar situation. During the 43rd over, the left-arm wrist-spinner struck twice in two balls, sending Salman Agha and Shaheen Afridi back to the pavilion.

The hat-trick ball drama:

• The field was set aggressively, with Virat Kohli and Jadeja moving into catching positions.
• Kuldeep bowled a well-disguised googly to Naseem Shah, the new batter at the crease.
• Naseem, however, showed great composure, defending the ball solidly and preventing Kuldeep from etching his name in the record books.
• Despite missing the hat-trick, Kuldeep played a crucial role in restricting Pakistan’s total, helping India gain the upper hand in the contest.

India’s Performance & Fielding Concerns

• While Team India has been dominant in both games, the missed hat-tricks have highlighted some key concerns, particularly in the fielding department.
• India defeated Bangladesh comfortably, with Shubman Gill scoring an unbeaten 101.
• Against Pakistan, bowlers controlled the game, but the missed hat-trick was a talking point.
• Dropped catches and missed stumpings have been a concern for India’s fielding unit.

Speaking after the match, captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged that India needs to sharpen their fielding skills, emphasizing that missed chances could prove costly in later stages of the tournament.

What’s Next for Team India in the Champions Trophy 2025?

India is in a strong position to qualify for the semi-finals. However, the team needs to work on their fielding and capitalize on key moments to ensure they maintain their winning momentum.

Will an Indian bowler finally get a hat-trick in the next match? Stay tuned for live updates!

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