IPL has had 23 hat-tricks from 19 bowlers between 2008 - 2025, demonstrating that bowlers are still being remembered in a batsman's league. Amit Mishra leads the list of hat-tricks with three, and next is Yuvraj Singh with two hat-tricks. Yuzvendra Chahal made IPL history on April 30, 2025, as he picked up his second IPL hat-trick whilst playing for Punjab Kings against Chennai Super Kings at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium; this was the 23rd hat-trick in IPL.

While the IPL is branded as a batsman's league, bowlers have enjoyed their moment of fame, hat-tricks being some of the best achievements and producing indelible memories. All hat-tricks involve solid skill, accuracy, and game-determining situations. 

Also Read: WATCH: Yuzvendra Chahal picks up second IPL hat trick in IPL 2025

Lakshmipathy Balaji (2008) was the first IPL hat-trick (playing for Chennai Super Kings against Kings XI Punjab), registered in the final over of the match! The most recent hat-trick was in 2025 when Yuzvendra Chahal claimed three wickets against Chennai Super Kings. 

Rohit Sharma established himself as the cornerstone of Indian cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL). After starting his IPL journey with Deccan Chargers in the inaugural season of the tournament in 2008, Rohit, since the 2011 IPL season, has been an instrumental figure for Mumbai Indians. He has guided the Mumbai-based franchise for 5 successful IPL seasons. Throughout the years, the star Indian batter has gifted cricket fans multiple memorable knocks. Through this article, we will provide you with the top 5 batting masterclasses by Rohit Sharma. 

1. Mumbai Indians vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, 2018

In IPL 2018, Rohit Sharma scored 94 against RCB at Wankhede Stadium with an excellent 10 fours and five 6s. MI put a total of 213 on the scoreboard; Virat Kohli responded strongly with his 92. But Mumbai Indians managed to win the game by a 46-run margin. 

2. Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Mumbai Indians, 2015

It is known to all that Eden Gardens is one of Rohit Sharma's most favorite grounds. Here he played multiple game-changing knocks for club and country. In this match we are talking about, Sharma launched an unbeaten 98-run innings, posting a respectable total of 168. Despite Sharma's 98, MI ended as the losing side. Through this innings, Rohit became the second batter in the history of IPL to achieve 3,000 runs. 

Read More: PSL 2025: MUL vs KAR – Player Battles to Watch Out For

3. Mumbai Indians vs. Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2015 final

Mumbai Indians claimed their second IPL trophy in 2015 with the help of Rohit Sharma. Rohit's glorious 50 (26) guided his team to a competitive total of 202. CSK falls short by 41 runs; Rohit Sharma was the man of the match. 

4. Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Mumbai Indians, 2012

Another standout performance from Rohit Sharma in the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. This time he scored a ton—an unbeaten 109 against 60 balls. This knock was well marked by his aggressive batting with 12 fours and five sixes. MI won the match. 

5. Deccan Chargers vs. Kolkata Knight Riders, 2009

During his early days, when Rohit Sharma was a middle-order batter, he played a match-winning 32 runs off 13 balls cameo for Deccan Chargers vs. KKR. DC needed 22 runs in the final over, and Rohit did it by hitting a couple of 6s and 4s. 

India captain Rohit Sharma has turned 38. Today, April 30, is the Hitman's birthday. Rohit Gurunath Sharma is now 38 years old. He is currently busy playing in the ongoing IPL 2025.

Rohit comes from a middle-class family in Mumbai. His childhood was spent in extreme poverty. His father, Gurunath Sharma, worked as a caretaker. He faced many struggles while raising a family with two children and a wife. At one time, Rohit and his brother Vishal had to live with their grandparents. In the past, Rohit could not even afford a cricket kit bag. But today, he has made a big name in world cricket.

Rohit Sharma's cricket journey is truly inspiring. Although he started as a bowler, today he is known as a world-class batsman. In the beginning, Rohit played as an off-spinner. His career took shape under the guidance of coach Dinesh Lad.

Coach Dinesh Lad helped him get a scholarship to study at Swami Vivekananda International School. During his school days, Rohit used to bat at number seven or eight. Later, Coach Lad saw potential in him and decided to promote him as an opener.

Rohit proved him right when he played an unbeaten innings of 120 runs in an inter-school match. That moment confirmed to Coach Lad that he had made the right decision. Rohit's rise from a struggling bowler to a star batsman is a story of talent, hard work, and belief. This article looks back at Rohit Sharma's 36th birthday and highlights some of the most unique records of his career.

1. World Record: Highest Score in ODI Cricket

Rohit Sharma holds the world record for the highest individual score in One Day Internationals – 264 runs. No international cricketer has broken this record till now.

2. Most Centuries in a Single World Cup

Rohit scored 5 centuries in the 2019 World Cup. He is the only player in the world to achieve this in one edition of the tournament.

3. Most Fours and Sixes in an ODI Innings

In his record-breaking 264-run knock against Sri Lanka in 2014, Rohit hit 33 fours and 9 sixes – the most in a single ODI innings.

READ MORE: Rohit Sharma Birthday Special Story: A single line from Rohit Sharma to Dinesh Karthik changed entire Indian cricket

4. Centuries in All Three Formats

Rohit has scored centuries in all formats of international cricket:

8 in Tests

29 in ODIS

5 in T20IS

5. Most Successful IPL Captain

Under Rohit’s captaincy, Mumbai Indians have won the IPL five times – the most by any captain.

6. Only Player with Three Double Centuries in ODIS

Rohit is the only player to have scored three double centuries in One Day Internationals.

7. Most Sixes in a Test Match

He hit 13 sixes in a Test match against South Africa in 2019 – the most in a single Test by any player.

8. Most T20I Centuries

Rohit holds the record for the most centuries in T20 Internationals – 5 centuries.

9. T20 Centuries as Captain

He has scored 3 centuries in T20 cricket while leading the side.

10. Century as an Opener in All Formats

Rohit is the first Indian opener to score a century in all three formats – Test, ODI, and T20I.

11. First Opener with 1000 Runs in WTC

He is the first opening batsman to score 1000 runs in the World Test Championship.

12. Twin Centuries in First Test as Opener

Rohit is the first batsman to score two centuries in his debut Test match as an opener.

13. 500+ Runs in Two Consecutive ODI World Cups

He is the only cricketer to score more than 500 runs in two back-to-back ODI World Cups – in 2019 and 2023.

14. Most Runs in a World Cup by a Captain

Rohit scored 597 runs in the 2023 World Cup – the most by a captain in a single edition.

15. Most Sixes Across All Formats

Rohit has hit the most sixes in international cricket – 590 sixes across formats.

16. Third Most Sixes in ODI Cricket

With 323 sixes, he is third on the list of most sixes in ODIs.

17. Fastest to 10,000 ODI Runs (Second Fastest)

Rohit reached 10,000 ODI runs in just 241 innings – the second fastest to achieve this milestone.

18. First Player to Win 5 IPL Trophies as Captain

He is the only captain to win five IPL trophies – all with Mumbai Indians.

19. Hat-Trick and Century in IPL

Rohit is the only player in IPL history to take a hat-trick and score a century.

20. First Indian to Score T20 Century in Domestic Cricket

He scored his first T20 century for Mumbai in the 2006-07 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 101 off 45 balls with 13 fours and 5 sixes.

21. Most 150+ Scores in ODIs

Rohit has scored 150+ runs in ODIs six times, including three double centuries.

Rohit Sharma turns 38 today (April 30). Arguably one of the best captains Team India has to date. From a middle-order batter to an opener, now a lovable and influential figure in world cricket, his journey over the years has proved many critics wrong with his performance and leadership qualities.

When Sharma came in charge of the Men in Blue Brigade, it was not easy to put on the show left by the former MS Dhoni, who has multiple ICC trophies under his belt. Rohit started his leadership journey under immense pressure. Today, the right-handed batter we see on the field was very different a few years ago. He changed his approach for the team. Unlike modern cricketers with crazy shots, Sharma's batting approach is classy, old school, and mostly not driven by run rates. The famous phrase we all know— wisdom comes with age—fits Rohit Sharma. 

Cricket has changed a lot; now, run rate plays a huge role in 22 yards. Rohit turned his batting approach into a more aggressive one as an opener to provide the much-needed boost the team needed at the top of the batting order. He could have easily bagged more all-time records, but he started to play only for his team as he grew more mature. 

Read More: IPL 2025: RR vs MI Match 50 - A Head to Head breakdown

Most consecutive matches won by Indian skippers in ICC events:

1 - Rohit Sharma (13 matches)

2 - MS Dhoni (12 matches)

3 - Rohit Sharma (10 matches)

4 - Sourav Ganguly (8)

5 - MS Dhoni (7)

Rohit's defining moment of his career as a captain came when Team India won the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup after a heartbreaking run in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. 

The 2019 WC was an important talking point for Indian cricket. India was a favorite to win the series, but the loss against New Zealand. Almost the same scenario in the 2022 T20 World Cup: again, a hot favorite team, India, was knocked out of the tournament. Rohit then was the skipper of the team after Virat Kohli left the leadership role.

We need to change: Rohit Sharma 

People started to criticize Rohit for another successful ICC trophy chase. Rohit had to find out where the team was lacking the most. Then the infamous line from Rohit came out to former cricketer Dinesh Karthik: 'Ab hame badalna padega (Now we need to change).' These were not only some words; these were the pure emotions that came out of Sharma. 

World Cup 2023 saw Rohit Sharma with a different approach— attack from the first ball. India went to the final stage without losing a single match, then Australia got the better of the boys in blue. Then on June 29, 2024, an historic date for Captain Rohit Sharma and Team India, a successful T20 World Cup triumph. 

While the cricketers are busy in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the focus on India's upcoming tour of England is growing as time progresses. In recent media reports, we have got some latest key information regarding this forthcoming major tour. 

India tour of England 2025

After the IPL 2025, India will tour England for a five-match Test series, which will be their first assignment in the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship. This five-match Test series will run from June 20 to August 4, 2025. The two-time ICC World Test Championship runners-up India are desperate to start the Championship in a strong way to erase their grief for their late unsuccess in the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. 

Before the Test series, India A are likely to play three four-day matches against the hosts England Lions to set a strong preparation for the crucial long Test series. The schedule hasn't been officially revealed yet. 

See Also: List of cricketers honored with Padma Shri award by Indian Government

• Captaincy and players

According to the latest Times of India report, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is focusing on setting the best possible team with proper practice for the upcoming big Test series in England. The selectors have reportedly shortlisted almost 35 players for India A and senior teams that will travel to England after the IPL 2025. Rohit Sharma is likely to continue his leadership role in the longest format. Some of the key senior players can be requested to play one of the three-match series for India A.  

• Some key special names for Test cricket

With the recent strong performances, Rajat Patidar and Karun Nair are under the selection consideration for the middle-order batting. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel are not in the shortlist, as per the report.  

• Spinner after Ravichandran Ashwin

In the absence of retired off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav is set to return in Test cricket, who played his last Test outside Asia in January 2019 in Australia.

• Backup opener

Talking about the backup opener, we have no information about Abhimanyu Easwaran, but the in-form Sai Sudharsan, who has played three ODIs and one T20I, can be considered in the senior squad. 

India tour of England 2025: Key points

• Rohit Sharma can continue his captaincy role.
• Around 35 players have been shortlisted for India A & Senior team.
• Rajat Patidar & Karun Nair can join as middle-order options.
• Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel are reportedly not present in the shortlist.
• Sai Sudharsan can be a backup opener.
• Kuldeep Yadav set to return in the away Test. 
• Concern about Mohammed Siraj's latest Test performances.

In a heartwarming intersection of Bollywood and cricket, actors Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi recently participated in an entertaining on-camera challenge where they named their favorite cricketers and shared humorous moments around the sport. The feature, a part of a promotional campaign for an upcoming movie or digital offering, unleashed the sporting spirit of the two actors and provided fans with a fix of laughter, nostalgia, and admiration for Indian cricket.

The quiz started with a series of quick-fire questions, from cricket trivia to personal preferences. The two actors were quick with their wits and loved the segment to pieces, displaying a lot of camaraderie and energy. Asked to name their favorite cricketers, the responses put smiles on the faces of many fans.

The fans adored the video for its creative mix of sports and cinema, and the sheer affection that both actors had for cricket. The skit went viral immediately on social media platforms. It is always warming to see celebrities from various sectors bond over a common interest. Not only did this playful exchange provide fans a look behind the curtain of their beloved celebrities' sporting interests, but it also reflected the national passion for cricket that brings together millions in the country.

Watch the video here

King Kohli’s cover drive or Hitman’s pull shot? 🤔

Watch @RajkummarRao and @iWamiqaGabbi share their picks in a fun 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 & 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 challenge!#IPLonJioStar 👉 #RRvGT | MON, 28th APR, 6:30 PM on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/mk5BnR1I5b

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 28, 2025

Also read: IPL 2025: Look how cricketing fraternity reacted to Vaibhav Suryavanshi's iconic knock against GT

Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi shared their favorite cricketers

Rajkummar Rao, known for his versatility and grounded personality, named MS Dhoni as his all-time favorite. He spoke fondly of Dhoni’s calm demeanor and leadership style, saying, “I’ve always admired how Dhoni handles pressure. Whether it’s the World Cup final or a tough IPL game, he’s unshakable. That sort of calmness is admirable not only in cricket, but in life as well." He also named Virat Kohli for his aggression and passion, terming him "a true modern-day legend."

Wamiqa Gabbi, on the other hand, introduced a new point of view by mentioning Smriti Mandhana as her favorite. "She's fiery, fashionable, and incredibly talented," Wamiqa stated. "I believe that women's cricket needs so much more attention, and Smriti is an amazing role model." She also enjoyed Rohit Sharma's batting with ease, calling his timing and class poetry in motion.

High-five for Mumbai Indians (MI), 5 wins in a row by defeating Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in game 45 of IPL 2025 at the Wankhede Stadium. MI, with 12 points in 10 matches, climbs the ladder, and now they are in 2^nd place in the points table. One of the highlighted moments of the match came when Rohit Sharma launched back-to-back sixes into the stand in a Mayank Yadav over. The sublime shots displayed the skills and techniques Sharma has engraved throughout the years.  

LSG captain Rishabh Pant won the toss and decided to field first; it came as a blessing in disguise for MI. Pant thought that the track would turn in more favor for batters during the later hours of the match. In the ongoing season, the Wankhede surface surprised seasoned cricketers as well with its unpredictable nature.

Mumbai Indians started their innings in a confident way with Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma. The former Mumbai Indians skipper was on song during their last two encounters; he was looking good too in the match as well. The right-handed batter went off to start his innings with an over-boundary in the third over.

Read More: "LSG Ko Dho Daala! MI Ne Li Zabardast Badla" – Fans erupt as MI crush LSG with a dominant all-round performance

Mayank Yadav chose to go short with an over 140 kmph delivery; Sharma positioned himself well enough on his back foot, balanced himself comfortably to swing the bat across for a maximum. The following delivery was almost the same from the young Indian pacer. This time Rohit looked more stable, both legs angled perfectly for a copybook Nataraj shoot. On both times, the way Rohit executed those shots reminded of the legendary Kapil Dev. Mayank came back strongly and dismissed Sharma in the same over; the experienced batter settled for only 12 runs, facing 5 balls. 

Watch Rohit Sharma's trademark shot here

Rohit Sharma back to back six 💪❣️ For mayank Yadav. #RohitSharma𓃵 #mayankyadav #LSGvMI #Mumbailndians #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/UtYbluGgLB

— Hem Choudhary (@HemChoudhary877) April 27, 2025

An allround performance by Mumbai Indians 

Sharma’s dismissal did not harm MI enough, as Rickelton (58 runs, 32 balls) was there to drive the innings, later joined by in-form Will Jacks (29 runs, 21 balls) and Suryakumar Yadav (54 runs, 28 balls). Jack is awarded the man of the match award for his all-around performance in the match. He took the wickets of Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant in the second innings.

LSG batters maintained a healthy strike rate, but without a solid partnership, their efforts fell apart, resulting in two back-to-back defeats. The experienced pacer duo of MI, Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah, claimed 7 wickets together, 3 for Boult and 4 for Bumrah. Super Giants were able to make only 161 in 20 overs, and Mumbai Indians won the match by 54 runs.

In every season the Indian Premier League (IPL) has produced some exciting new talents. But there are some players who are part of the ongoing IPL 2025 who also played in the inaugural IPL season back in 2007-08. Through this article we'll discover the names of the cricketers, many of whom can be considered the cornerstone of the cash-rich tournament. The last name in the 9-player list is probably beyond your knowledge. 

Check the list here:

MS Dhoni

Former team India skipper, now 43, still driving his IPL career, an integral part of Chennai Super Kings (16th season underway), won 5 IPL trophies as captain out of 18 seasons. Dhoni played a couple of seasons for Rising Pune Supergiants, now a defunct club. In 273 IPL matches, Dhoni has made a total of 5383 runs so far.

Rohit Sharma

Started his IPL journey with Deccan Chargers, played 3 seasons here, shifted to Mumbai Indians during IPL 2011, and from then on, he has been playing for the 5-time champion franchise. Along with MS Dhoni, Sharma was also crowned IPL champion for the 5th time as a captain. For 2 teams, he has played a total 265 IPL matches and scored 6856 runs in total.

Read More: [WATCH] Rohit Sharma schooling Abdul Samad on batting techniques ahead of MI vs LSG match

Virat Kohli

From the inauguration of the IPL season until now, Virat Kohli has never played for any other franchise except Royal Challengers Bengaluru, yet he grabbed the IPL silverware. Scored 8396 runs for RCB in 253 innings. Virat, so far has played 261 matches and scored 8396 runs. 

Ishant Sharma

The tall Indian pacer made his IPL debut with Kolkata Knight Riders and has played for 7 different IPL teams. With lots of ups and downs, Sharma is still delivering at 140 kmph. Now playing for Gujarat Titans. Ishant Sharma has bowled in 115 matches and took 95 wickets. 

Manish Pandey

An immensely talented batter, but never able to establish his talent for Team India due to inconsistency. Participated in IPL with 7 different teams. Currently playing for Kolkata Knight Riders. Over-all in 172 IPL matches, Pandey has 3869 runs under his belt.

Ajinkya Rahane

Doing the captaincy job for Kolkata Knight Riders in the ongoing IPL 2025, he has played for 6 different teams and is a stalwart, easy on the eyes when he is in flow. So far, in 193 matches, he has gained 4,913 runs in total. Rahane with his classy batting, claimed 4913 runs in 193 matches. 

Ravichandran Ashwin

Retired from international cricket at 38, he is now playing for Chennai Super Kings. The spin bowling all-rounder has proved his value for 5 different teams. With the bat he scored 812 runs, and as a bowler Ashwin has taken 185 wickets so far with a 7.18 economy rate. 

Ravindra Jadeja

Another CSK player who has been playing IPL since the 2007-08 season, participating in the tournament with 4 different teams. With his batting part, he has added 3125 runs, and with the ball, Jadeja clinched 166 wickets. 

Swapnil Singh

A surprise entry in the list. The all-rounder from Uttar Pradesh, now 34, is a member of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025. The fun fact is that Singh participated in only 5 IPL seasons, including the 2025 campaign. After 2016 and 2017, he was out of the tournament and made his comeback in 2023. 

A revamped Mumbai Indians (MI) with a 4-match winning streak is preparing for their next clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), which is set to be held tomorrow (April 27) at Wankhede Stadium from 3:30 PM. Ahead of the match, Rohit Sharma was spotted giving batting tips to Abdul Samad during a practice session. Lucknow Super Giants shared a video of the moment from their official social media account. 

After an initial turbulent phase in the ongoing IPL 2025, Mumbai Indians are back on with a bang at the right moment. They are now one of the contenders to make sure of a play-off spot. The five-time IP side is currently lying in the fifth spot of the points table with 10 points in 9 matches. On the other hand, Lucknow Super Giants, at the 6th spot, also have 10 points in 9 games. The upcoming encounter is crucial for both franchises. LSG will look to get back on the winning track by defeating the Mumbai Indians, and MI will try to solidify their undefeated run. 

Rohit Sharma, one of the most successful and lovable skippers of Team India in recent times, is the role model of many young stars; LSG's Abdul Samad is one of them. And Rohit knows the value of nurturing a budding talent. The former MI skipper didn't hesitate to interact with possible future stars.

Read More: Bowlers with best economy in death overs in IPL 2025 (min 7 overs)

Rohit advised how to bat at initial stage 

In the video, shared by LSG, we can see Sharma teaching Samad how to bat on different surfaces. Rohit advised the J&K all-rounder to first understand the pitch and then do the needful. 

Watch the video here:

Keeping it 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 & 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦 💯 pic.twitter.com/7EdizTC1EF

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) April 25, 2025

According to Rohit, understanding the weather conditions and nature of the pitch is necessary at the initial phase. He asked to observe how the ball is behaving on the pitch and then play a natural game, as every cricketer has his own technique and skill set. 

Rohit Sharma is now back with a boom in the ongoing IPL 2025. After a run drought in the initial stage of the league, the team India skipper now is only dealing with boundaries and over boundaries.

Like Sharma, Mumbai Indians, the five-time IPL winner, also finds their mojo; they defeated their archrivals, Chennai Super Kings, followed by a win against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which helped them to extend their winning streak to four matches. MI is set to face Lucknow Super Giants as their next opponent at the Wankhede Stadium. Before the match, players of the MI squad are naturally in a good mood.

Indian cricket fans took a breath of relief when Sharma played two back-to-back match-winning innings, one against CSK and the next one against SRH. Netizens shared several videos about the star batter on the internet, but very few of them were capable enough to engage people.

Read More: PSL BANNED in India! FanCode drops live streaming after Pahalgam terror attack

Rohit Sharma is on song

One of the videos that attracts a lot of attention is attached to the article below. In his video we can see Rohit Sharma, in the Mumbai Indians traditional blue and gold jersey, dancing with Bollywood star Jackie Shroff. It seems that this video was shot probably for advertisement reasons, but there was not much information about the video in the post. But the happiness that came out from Sharma's face is justifying Mumbai Indians current form. 

Watch the video full of joy here:

Father of two kids- ❌
Eldest of the 3 kids Ritika handles-✅

Kitnaaaa cute banda hai yaar🥹🤌 pic.twitter.com/ObSHtfE3pp

— Misty Sinha (@naive_shrewd) April 24, 2025

After a long period of struggling since last season, they discovered much-needed air to breathe and are now ready to conquer the stage.