CSK’s New Recruit Dominates, Dismisses Hardik, Krunal Pandya

Karnataka spinner Shreyas Gopal equaled Amit Mishra to become the Indian bowler with the most T20 hat-tricks. Gopal achieved this milestone during Karnataka's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match in opposition to Baroda on Tuesday. Defending a total of 170 runs, built on a strong half-century by Abhinav Manohar (56 off 34 balls, including six sixes), Karnataka faced a difficult situation with Baroda at 102/1 in almost 10 overs.

Gopal, who recently got acquired by CSK for Rs 30 lakh in the IPL auction, turned the game around by dismissing Shashwat Rawat for 63 off 37 balls, which included 7 fours and 2 sixes. Gopal’s figures of 4/19 eventually went in vain, as the wicketkeeper-batter Vishnu Solanki remained not out on 28, guiding Baroda to a 4-wicket victory with seven balls to spare!

Gopal now holds the 2nd most T20 hat-tricks by any bowler, tying with Mishra. One of his hat-tricks came during the 2019 IPL season, which was played for Rajasthan Royals (RR) against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), where he dismissed Virat Kohli, Marcus Stoinis, and AB de Villiers. He also claimed a hat-trick in opposition to Haryana in the 2018-19 season.

Afghanistan's star spinner Rashid Khan are holding the record for the most T20 hat-tricks, with four to his name.

Having acquired 103 T20s, Gopal has taken 124 wickets at an average of 19.13, with a best of 5/11. In conclusion, he has scored 525 runs in 42 innings at an average of 16.93, with a highest score of 48.

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