Cricket enthusiasts in Tinsukia witnessed a truly extraordinary spectacle as Services bowlers Arjun Sharma and Mohit Jangra made history in the Ranji Trophy. They achieved the unprecedented feat of claiming two hat-tricks in the same innings, a first in the tournament’s long and celebrated existence.
Riyan Parag
The highly anticipated second-round match of the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season featured Assam against Services at the Tinsukia District Sports Association Ground. This venue was particularly special, hosting its first First-Class game in 24 years. Yet, no one could have predicted the sensational display of bowling mastery and statistical marvel that unfolded on Day 1.
Assam, under the leadership of Riyan Parag, chose to bat first after winning the toss. However, their innings quickly descended into disarray. Services’ left-arm spinner Arjun Sharma initiated the remarkable chain of events, sending back Parag, wicketkeeper Sumit Ghadigaonkar, and Sibsankar Roy with three consecutive deliveries. This spectacular feat marked the first hat-trick of the season, leaving Assam struggling at 45 for five.
The post-lunch session brought further devastation for the hosts. Left-arm pacer Mohit Jangra unleashed his own sensational spell, securing the second hat-trick of the innings. He dismissed opener Pradyun Saikia, who was Assam’s top-scorer with a rapid 52 off 42 balls, followed by Mukhtar Hussain and Bhargab Lakhar. This completed Jangra’s maiden First-Class hat-trick. Later, Arjun Sharma finalized Assam’s collapse, finishing with impressive figures of 5 for 46, as they were bowled out for a meager 103 runs in just 17.3 overs.
This extraordinary achievement marks a groundbreaking moment: the first time in Ranji Trophy history that two different bowlers have each taken a hat-trick within the same innings. The only somewhat similar record in Indian First-Class cricket belongs to Services’ Joginder Singh Rao, who remarkably took two hat-tricks himself in a single innings against Northern Punjab in Amritsar back in 1963, a feat that remains unparalleled.
However, the dramatic twists weren’t over. Assam’s captain, Riyan Parag, retaliated with a formidable bowling performance, snaring five wickets, including three in just four deliveries, which put Services in a challenging position during their reply. The match became a rapid exchange of wicket-taking opportunities, with both sides seeing players fall quickly. Astonishingly, a total of 20 dismissals occurred in less than 47 overs before the Tea break.
Ultimately, it was a day etched in the annals of cricket — a whirlwind of chaos, history-making moments, and unforgettable action witnessed in Tinsukia.