In regular captain Hardik Pandya's absence, Afghanistan national Rashid Khan was handed the leadership reins against Kolkata Knight Riders in Ahmedabad on Sunday. (More Cricket News)
Chasing a mammoth 205 to win, KKR had just lost Venkatesh Iyer, who slammed a 40-ball 83, as the pendulum swung back in the way of the Titans.
Rashid, who had gone wicket-less in his first three overs, brought himself on to bowl the 17th over against the West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell.
Needing 50 runs to win off the last 4 overs, Russell's intentions were clear - go big or go home.
Rashid, on the other hand, having won the momentum back, was in no mood to led the advantage slip away, and started off with a googly. Russell went for a massive heave, only managing to get an inside edge on to his pad to be caught by wicket-keeper Srikar Bharat.
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Russell's compatriot Sunil Narine came on to face the next delivery, who on his best day can send the ball flying over the boundary ropes with ease. Not on this day, though.
Rashid stuck to his plan, keeping the delivery on middle and off stump, and a tad short. Narine, like Russell, went for a big shot only to find substitute fielder Jayant Yadav a few yards inside the rope.
Now, on a hat-trick and bowling to Kolkata's match winner in the last game, Shardul Thakur, the wily Rashid sent out another googly, trapping the India all-rounder at the crease. Even before the umpire raised his finger, Rashid was off with his celebrations. A review from KKR only confirmed the bad news.
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Rashid had claimed the first hat-trick of the 2023 edition of the IPL and brought his team an inch closer to a victory.
