On this day: Chetan Sharma takes the first-ever World Cup hat-trick

After lifting the World Cup in 1983, defending champions India entered the 1987 World Cup with a lot of confidence on their home turf. They were no longer underdogs and were out to play some good cricket. And so, they did. They played excellently throughout the tournament, but the last group game against New Zealand was the cherry on the cake. Chetan Sharma became the first Indian bowler, and the first bowler in world cricket to bag a hat-trick in the World Cup.

How it happened

India were up against New Zealand in the last group stage match at Nagpur. Winning the toss, New Zealand decided to bat first and set up a target for the Indian team. They got off to a good, solid start. They lost their first wicket with Phil Horne getting out on 46 but John Wright and Martin Crowe continued batting confidently. New Zealand kept piling the runs. At 181-5, they were looking good to get to around 250.

However, fast bowler Chetan Sharma had other plans. Coming back into the attack, he castled the set batsman Ken Rutherford who was batting on 26. He followed this up with another ripper and knocked out the stumps of New Zealand’s wicket-keeper, Ian Smith. No Indian bowler had taken a hat trick ever. No hat-trick was ever taken in a World Cup ever before either. Sharma needed to dismiss Ewen Chatfield to have his name etched in history books. He sprinted towards the crease and bowled another outstanding delivery, disturbing Ewen’s stumps as well. It was a historic moment. For an Indian to get a hattrick in a World Cup game, was an outstanding achievement. Thanks to Chetan’s heroics, the Kiwis managed to reach only 221.

Easy chase

Indian batsmen made light work of the target. Sunil Gavaskar, known for his defensive style of play, played a brilliant knock. He stroked away to an attractive, unbeaten 103 off just 88 balls. He had a wonderful 136-run opening partnership with Kris Srikkanth that broke the back of the Kiwis. India cantered to the target in just 32 overs. Sharma’s hat-trick played a monumental role in changing the momentum of the game. That match is easily one of the most historic and memorable games in the history of Indian cricket. India eventually lost in the semi-finals but Chetan Sharma’s hat-trick remained the highlight of the World Cup.