Axar Patel was dramatically denied a hat-trick after captain Rohit Sharma spilled an easy chance at slip, during the India-Bangladesh 2025 Champions Trophy match in Dubai.
The India bowlers were all over Bangladesh in the first powerplay, hacking down half the side with the score reaching just 39. Mohammed Shami did the early damage with the wickets of Soumya Sarkar and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, interspersed by Harshit Rana's dismissal of Najmul Shanto.
However, India's spin attack was being considered the biggest challenge ahead of the game, and Axar Patel showed just why.
Before today, Axar had bowled 21 overs in the powerplay, picking up three wickets at 32.66. It took him just two balls to make the first dent.
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Off the second ball of the ninth over, he drew Tanzid Hasan, Bangladesh's top-scorer until that point, into a push. The ball angled away, travelling to wicketkeeper KL Rahul, who was convinced he had his man. It took a while, but Paul Reiffel ruled in India's favour, with replays proving the decision right.
The very next ball, Axar had the big fish, snaring Mushfiqur Rahim, a veteran of 273 ODIs, with a similar dismissal. Mushfiqur prodded at the ball, but only managed to gift an edge to Kl Rahul.
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India had their fielders all around the next bat, Jaker Ali, in anticipation of a hat-trick.
Match 2, Bangladesh vs India
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Axar did his best, lulling the batter into an outside edge for the third time in a row. However, Rohit Sharma, usually considered a safe fielder, didn't react quickly enough, moving to his left but failing to latch on to the ball. He crumbled to the ground in regret, with KL Rahul holding his head in disbelief.
"There are wry smiles all around, but he must be hurting deep within," said Harsha Bhogle on commentary.
Rohit slapped the ground in anger and apologised to Axar right away.
Axar could have been the fifth India player to get a hat-trick in men's ODIs – at the 10th over mark, his figures read 1-0-1-2.
Watch Rohit Sharma spill Axar Patel's potential hat-trick:
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