Snubbed in IPL 2026 auction, 25-yr-old becomes 1st Odisha bowler to claim List A hat-trick

In a historic moment for Odisha cricket, fast bowler Rajesh Mohanty became the first player from his state to claim a hat-trick in List A cricket. This milestone occurred during a Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 match against Services on Friday, December 26, held at the Alur Cricket Stadium III in Bengaluru.

Rajesh Mohanty stands tall with historic hat-trick

After Odisha won the toss and chose to bowl, the 25-year-old pacer initiated his dominant spell in the seventh over. Mohanty’s hat-trick began by shattering Sagar Dahiya’s stumps, followed immediately by trapping Ayush Shukla leg-before wicket. He sealed the rare feat in emphatic style by dismissing Ravi Chauhan for a golden duck on the very next delivery.

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Mohanty concluded the innings with remarkable figures of 3/25 across nine overs, playing a pivotal role in dismantling the Services lineup. Supported by Sambit S Baral, who took 4/21, and Badal Biswal’s two wickets, the bowling attack bundled out Services for a mere 83 runs—the team's second-lowest total in the history of the tournament.

This milestone serves as a powerful statement following a recent professional setback for Mohanty. Despite entering the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi with a base price of 30 lakh, the seamer unfortunately went unsold. This hat-trick highlights his resilience and reinforces his value as a premier pace option for Odisha.

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Odisha have the last laugh against Services

His career statistics further underscore his consistency across all formats. To date, Mohanty has claimed 41 wickets in 38 List A matches, alongside a formidable record of 124 wickets in 34 First-Class appearances. His shorter-format experience is equally notable, having secured 27 wickets in 28 T20 innings.

The match itself remained tense during the second innings as Odisha's chase stumbled under pressure. Services' bowlers Poonam Poonia and Nitin Yadav threatened a comeback, taking 4/27 and 2/20 respectively. Ultimately, it was Sandeep Pattnaik’s steady, unbeaten 32 off 69 balls that stabilized the innings and guided Odisha to victory in 24.3 overs.