On This Day in 1987: Chetan Sharma Claims First World Cup Hat-Trick | WATCH

ON THIS DAY IN 1987: India’s Chetan Sharma became the first player in the history of World Cup to claim a hat-trick on this day, 36 years back. With this, Sharma also became the first Indian cricketer to claim a hat-trick in any format of the game. The former India pacer had achieved this incredible feat during a World Cup match against New Zealand at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground in Nagpur in 1987. Sharma’s astonishing bowling helped India clinch a resounding nine-wicket victory against the Kiwis. Sharma ended up with figures of 3/51 in his 10 overs.

Overall, Chetan Sharma has featured in 23 Tests and 65 ODIs. Sharma has 61 wickets in Tests and 67 ODI dismissals to his name. Sharma was last involved in an international match back in 1994. After retirement, Sharma ventured into cricket commentary. He also became the chairman of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) national men’s senior selection committee.

As Sharma celebrates a historic bowling achievement today, we take a look at the details of the game.

Winning the toss, New Zealand skipper Jeff Crowe decided to bat first. The decision proved to be detrimental as the Black Caps found themselves struggling at 2/84 at one point. The game seemed to be quite competitive with New Zealand placed at 5/181. But Chetan Sharma’s heroics changed the momentum soon.

Sharma picked up his first wicket of the game having dismissed Ken Rutherford for 26 in the 42nd over. On the very next delivery, the 57-year-old scalped the wicket of New Zealand wicketkeeper Ian Smith for a duck. Sharma completed a historic hat-trick having sent Ewen Chatfield back to the dressing room for naught. Sharma’s splendid spell of bowling left New Zealand reeling at 8/182.

New Zealand failed to recover from the precarious situation, having eventually put up a total of 221 against the hosts India. Dipak Patel emerged as New Zealand’s highest scorer of the match having played a handy knock of 40 off 51 balls. Chetan Sharma was India’s best bowler in that game with three wickets under his belt.

India kicked off their run chase on a promising note having put up a solid opening partnership of 136. Willie Watson broke the partnership having dismissed Krishnamachari Srikkanth for 75. This was also the solitary wicket that India had lost in the game.

Another Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar remained unbeaten having pulled off a sensational century. Gavaskar’s power-packed knock of 103 comprised 10 boundaries and three sixes. The Kapil Dev-led side scored the winning runs with 107 balls to spare.