2 hat-tricks in one innings! Arjun Sharma, Mohit Jangra claim first-ever twin hat-tricks in an innings - watch

25 wickets after almost 25 years, including two hat-tricks in the same innings!
That summed up the story of Assam vs Services Ranji Trophy game’s first day in Tinsukia on Saturday.
Last time a Ranji Trophy game was held in Tinsukia it was in January 2002 with Assam hosting Odisha. The return of first-class cricket to Tinsukia after almost 25 years had the local cricket enthusiasts on their toes.
But on Saturday, they saw history being made at the expense of their state team, as Services bowlers Arjun Sharma and Mohit Jangra each picked up a hat-trick to skittle Assam for 103 in the first innings of Ranji Trophy match in the industrial town. This is the first instance in the 90-year long history of the prestigious tournament where two bowlers have got hat-tricks in the same innings.


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What comes close to this miraculous feat is Services’ Joginder Singh Rao claiming two hat-tricks in a game against Northern Punjab in Amritsar, way back in 1963. Till date, Rao remains the only Indian to achieve the feat of multiple hat-tricks in a single Ranji Trophy innings.
A total of 25 wickets fell on the first day of the second-round match as Services were all out for 108 in reply and Assam reached 56 for five in their second essay. And spinners took 20 of those wickets.
After opening their campaign with a draw against Gujarat in an away game that fetched just a point, Assam hoped to get some home comfort, but it was never to be on a newly laid Tinsukia District Sports Association (TDSA) Stadium pitch.

Click here to watch the hat-tricks

Opting to bat first, Assam were in a spot of bother very early as off-spinner Pulkit Narang returned opener Parvej Musaraf and captain Denish Das, both on nought. But the mayhem started with Riyan Parag edging left-arm spinner Arjun Sharma behind. Vice-captain Sumit Ghadigaonkar and veteran Sibsankar Roy returned in the next two balls as Sharma completed his hat-trick and Assam were down to 45 for five in the 12th over. Sharma returned 5-46 in the first innings.
Opener Pradyun Saikia waged a lone battle with a 42-ball 52 but left-arm medium Jangra scalped him in the last ball of 15th over and returned to complete his hat-trick in his next over.
With the spinners unplayable on the surface, Assam opened their bowling with Riyan’s off spin and Rahul Singh’s left-arm spin, and the duo shared nine wickets among them.
Irfan Khan stood amid ruins with his unbeaten 51 as Riyan returned his best first-class bowling figures of 5-25 from 10 overs while Singh got 4-44. However, despite all their tricks on a tricky track, they were unable to restrict Services from securing the first-innings lead.
Assam tweaked their batting order in the second innings but could not prevent wickets tumbling as Jangra gave Services the first breakthrough while Sharma and Narang took two wickets each. Ghadigaonkar and Roy are at the crease with Assam securing a lead of 51 runs going into the second day.

Brief Scores
In Tinsukia: Assam 103 in 17.2 overs (P Saikia 52, R Parag 36; A Sharma 5/46, M Jangra 3/5) & 56/5 in 21 overs (A Sharma 2/12, P Narang 2/16). Services 108 in 29.2 overs (I Khan 51; R Parag 5/25, R Singh 4/44). Match to continue.


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