New Delhi: In the world of cricket, a hat-trick is a rare and celebrated achievement for any bowler. It involves dismissing three batsmen on three consecutive deliveries. But what if a bowler managed to take a hat-trick in just two balls? While it may sound impossible, Sri Lanka’s Isuru Udana is one of the few bowlers to have achieved this extraordinary feat, joining the ranks of India’s Praveen Tambe.
Recently, the Legends League Cricket (LLC) auction took place, where retired international cricketers are bought by various teams. Among the players, Isuru Udana emerged as the most sought-after, securing the highest bid. The left-arm pacer was snapped up by Urbanisers Hyderabad for an impressive Rs 62 lakh, overshadowing many other veteran players in the process. The auction, however, is far from over, with big names like Shikhar Dhawan and Dinesh Karthik yet to go under the hammer.
Udana’s Unbelievable Hat-Trick
The unique achievement of taking a hat-trick in two balls came during the 2010 Champions League in South Africa, where Udana was playing for Wayamba against Central Districts. In that match, he first dismissed Brad Pitton. The very next ball, which was a wide, saw Matthew Sinclair stumped, giving Udana two wickets from just one legal delivery. He then bowled George Worker with the following delivery, completing an unconventional hat-trick and etching his name in cricket history.
Udana’s Career Highlights
The 36-year-old Isuru Udana made his international debut for Sri Lanka in 2009 and played his final match in 2021. Over his 12-year career, Udana featured in 21 ODIs and 35 T20Is, where he claimed a total of 45 wickets. Besides his bowling, Udana also contributed 493 runs with the bat, with his highest score being 84 in a T20 International. On July 31, 2021, Udana announced his retirement from international cricket, but his legacy continues as he takes on new challenges in the Legends League Cricket.
