Mohali: The youngest to notch up an IPL hat-trick, England and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) all-rounder Sam Curran said he had ‘absolutely no idea’ that he had achieved one during the game against Delhi Capitals (DC) here Monday. His feat helped KXIP script an exciting 14-run win over DC when all had looked lost for the hosts.
The 20-year-old from Northampton, KXIP’s costliest buy this year with a price tag of Rs 7.20 crore, surpassed Rohit Sharma in becoming the youngest to take an IPL hat-trick. Sharma had achieved the feat as a 22-year-old for Deccan Chargers (DC) against Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2009. Curran took four wickets overall.
“I didn’t really know (about the hat-trick),” said Curran after the game. “When we won the game, one of the players came up to me and said ‘you’ve got a hat-trick’. I had absolutely no idea I had taken one,” he elaborated.
Son of former Zimbabwe all-rounder the late Kevin Curran and younger brother of another England international player Tom Curran, cricket is indeed a family affair for young sensation. He played the game because Chris Gayle was ruled out with a back injury.
Curran’s hat-trick process started in the 18th over when he got rid of Harshal Patel off the last ball of the over. He then dismissed Kagiso Rabada and Sandeep Lamichhane off successive deliveries at the start of the 20th over.
“My main focus was obviously that last ball when Rabada came and I knew his strengths and where I could bowl, so I was always aiming for his stumps and his toes,” Curran said. “But I must also talk about (Mohammed) Shami. He also bowled two last amazing overs which helped,” Curran added.
Curran however, asserted he needs to work hard on his batting to be a better IPL player. “I have worked a lot on my batting over the last few months. I like to work hard on my batting, bowling and fielding. I have opened in school cricket, but think this was the first time in professional cricket. Hopefully, we keep winning games,” he said.
PTI
