WATCH: Rahul Sharma records first ever hattrick in International Masters League against South Africa

Former Indian spinner Rahul Sharma stole the headlines in the India Masters vs South Africa masters game on Saturday. The right-arm leg spinner became the first player to record a hattrick in the inaugural season of International Masters. Rahul achieved the feat in front of a packed crowd in Baroda. 

Sachin Tendulkar got in spin early and there was immediate impact made. Hashim Amla who was batting on nine runs was bowled when he tried to hit the ball across the line. Rahul Sharma had bowled a quicker ball that beat the batter for pace and rattled the stumps. Jacques Kallis came out to bat at number three and went for a sweep in his very first ball. 

𝐑𝐚𝐡𝐮𝐥, 𝐧𝐚𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐨𝐡 𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐠𝐚! 😎🎬

3️⃣rd time's a charm indeed! Watch Rahul Sharma pull off the #IMLT20's first hattrick in style 🤙📈#TheBaapsOfCricket#IMLonJioHotstar#IMLonCineplexpic.twitter.com/VGXxDlptzi

— INTERNATIONAL MASTERS LEAGUE (@imlt20official) March 1, 2025

The umpire initially didn’t give the batter out but India had opted to take the review. Once the replays came, it was seen that the ball was hitting the stumps as Kallis was out for a golden duck. Jacques Rudolph came out next to bat number four as the crowd found its voice. The left-handed batter was struck on his pads as the ball turned in sharp. 

Umpire was quick to raise his finger and this time the batter had opted to take the review. Rahul Sharma went on a victory lap and seemed emotional after taking the hattrick. Decision stayed in bowling teams’ favor as South Africa who were 35/0 after four overs were reduced to 35/3 in just three balls. 

South Africa bowled out for 85 in Baroda 

Indian skipper Sachin Tendulkar won the toss and chose to bowl first. Henry Davids and Hashim Amla went about scoring runs at quick pace with Davids in particular playing a aggressive knock. Davids was in fact the best batter for South Africa with 38 off 28 balls with four boundaries and a six. 

Dane Vilas was the next best batter with 21 off 15 balls with three hits to the fence. Yuvraj Singh joined in the wicket-taking frenzy as he dismissed Vernon Philander and Garnett Kruger off successive balls but missed out on a hattrick. Stuart Binny then ended the innings with the wickets of Thandi Tshabalala and Makhaya Ntini to bowl out South Africa for 85 runs.