Suffered face paralysis 15 years ago, Indian leg-spinner takes hat-trick to stun Kallis, Amla as Tendulkar's India Masters win by 8 wickets

Suffered face paralysis 15 years ago, Indian leg-spinner takes hat-trick to stun Kallis, Amla as Tendulkar's India Masters win by 8 wickets
Rahul Sharma celebrates with teammates after taking a hat-trick against South Africa Masters.

Highlights:

Rahul Sharma grabbed tournament's first ever hat-trick.

Yuvraj Singh took three wickets as well.

Sachin Tendulkar-led India Masters completed a hat-trick of wins.

India's 46-year-old leg-spinner Rahul Sharma wreaked havoc against South Africa Masters as he picked International Masters League T20's first ever hat-trick. Rahul who had face paralysis 15 years ago was the wrecker-in-chief at BCA Stadium, Vadodra as India Masters bowled out Jacques Kallis-led side for 85 in just 13.5 overs. Skipper Sachin Tendulkar and Irfan Pathan departed early but India Masters chased down the total with eight wickets in hand and nine overs to spare.

Rahul's hat-trick, Yuvraj's three-fer

Tendulkar won the toss and opted to bowl first. South Africa Masters got off to a good start with 35 runs in four overs. Tendulkar introduced Rahul into the attack. On the first ball, Amla went for a slog and got bowled. On the next ball, Kallis went for a sweep but was out lbw. Rahul completed his hat-trick as he trapped Jacques Rudolph in front of the stumps as well. ย In the eighth over, Pawan Negi ended Farhaan Behardien's stay at the crease by dismissing him lbw for a single-digit score. In his next over, he got rid of opener Henry Davids who scored 38 runs from 27 balls. He bowled a wicket-maiden as South Africa were 63/5 at the halfway stage.

Yuvraj Singh was introduced into the attack. He knocked over Vernon Philander for a seven-ball duck. Then, he dismissed Garnett Kruger lbw for a golden duck. In his next over, Yuvraj got the wicket of Dane Vilas as well. Tendulkar handed the ball to Stuart Binny to mop up the tail. In the 14th over, Binny struck twice as South Africa were bowled out for 85.

ALSO READ:ย 'We've also played in Dubai, it's not something new': Marco Jansen's straightforward answer on India's 'home advantage' controversy ahead of Champions Trophy semis

Easy run chase

India lost Tendulkar early in the run chase as he got out caught and bowled to Thandi Tshabalala in the third over. In the sixth over, Irfan Pathan got bowled by Eddie Leie for a 12-ball 13. India were 29/2 after powerplay overs. Ambati Rayudu and Negi ensured India don't lose any more wickets in the run chase. In the 11th over, Rayudu hit three consecutive fours and then Negi finished the run chase with a maximum. Negi scored 21 runs from 12 balls. On the other end, Rayudu remained unbeaten for 41 off 34 balls.

ALSO READ:ย 'You can take it however you want': Karun Nair opens up on 'nine' celebration, gives honest reply to queries of probable Test recall for England tour

This is India Masters' third win on the trot. They will take on Australia Masters on March 5 in their next clash.