Vijay Hazare Trophy: Rajesh Mohanty Becomes 1st Odisha Bowler To Take List A Hat-Trick

Right-arm medium-pacer Rajesh Mohanty has made history by becoming the first player from Odisha to take a hat-trick in List A cricket. This historic achievement came during the ongoing match against Services at the KSCA Cricket Ground in Alur. With this remarkable performance, the bowler from Bihar has set a new record for his team and boosted the morale of his supporters.

Rajesh Mohanty Creates History with Stunning Hat-Trick for Odisha in the Vijay Hazare Trophy

After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Odisha made full use of the favorable seam conditions in Alur. The fast bowlers were getting considerable assistance from the pitch, which Odisha capitalized on. Sambit Baral bowled well, taking four wickets, but it was Rajesh Mohanty’s exceptional bowling that turned the tide of the match and swung the game in Odisha’s favor. Services started their innings cautiously. They were watchful, and thanks to Nitin Tanwar and Sagar Dahiya, they managed to withstand Odisha’s new-ball bowlers for a while. However, in the 7th over, Rajesh Mohanty broke the partnership by dismissing Dahiya with his very first ball.

On the very next ball, Mohanty sent Amit Shukla back to the pavilion without scoring. This gave him a chance for a hat-trick, a rare feat. Mohanty then completed a memorable hat-trick by dismissing the next batsman, Ravi Chauhan, leg before wicket.

Several illustrious bowlers like Debashish Mohanty and Basant Mohanty have played for Odisha in the past, yet none had ever registered a hat-trick in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. This makes Rajesh Mohanty’s performance even more special. His achievement highlights him as one of the finest emerging young fast bowlers from Eastern India.

IPL 2026 Mini Auction: Rajesh Mohanty Goes Unsold Despite Strong Domestic Record

Rajesh Mohanty was one of the 1,355 players who registered for the IPL 2026 mini-auction. He has repeatedly proven his abilities, especially with the new ball, yet no IPL franchise bid on him, and he went unsold in the auction. The good news is that he is performing well in domestic cricket. Playing 100 games across all formats and taking 192 wickets demonstrates that he is certainly a talented player at the domestic level.

Strong Domestic Form Keeps Hope Alive

Although Rajesh Mohanty went unsold in the IPL 2026 mini-auction, his domestic record is quite impressive. He has taken 192 wickets in 100 matches across all formats, showcasing his consistent form and control. He swings the new ball well and takes early wickets, giving his team a strong start. Such crucial contributions make him a valuable player in limited-overs cricket. Hat-tricks and match-winning performances keep him in the spotlight. IPL franchises keep a close eye on recent performances; one outstanding spell can change everything. If Mohanty continues to perform well in domestic matches, he has a good chance of attracting attention in the next IPL auction.

Read More: Virat Kohli Becomes Second Indian After Sachin Tendulkar To Complete 16,000 List A Runs

Conclusion

It’s a moment of great pride for Odisha cricket that Rajesh Mohanty’s hat-trick in the One Day tournament was truly game-changing. While he possesses the skill, concentration, and passion to achieve this, any player could potentially do the same. By performing well in domestic matches, he will be trying to honor Nishant’s legacy. If Mohanty continues to impress in this manner, will bigger rewards and new opportunities await him?

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Who is Rajesh Mohanty?

Rajesh Mohanty is an emerging domestic cricketer from the state of Odisha. He represents the Odisha state team in Indian domestic cricket. He is known for his bowling skills and his ability to take crucial wickets at key moments in the game. He has consistently progressed each year through hard work and impressive performances in domestic tournaments.

Q2. What great feat has recently been accomplished by Rajesh Mohanty?

Rajesh Mohanty became famous for being the first bowler from Odisha to take a hat-trick in List A cricket. This is a very special record that no other bowler from Odisha has achieved at this level in their cricket career.

Q3. In which tournament did Rajesh Mohanty perform a hat-trick?

He took a hat-trick in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, one of India’s premier domestic limited-overs tournaments.

Q4. What is a hat-trick in cricket?

A hat-trick means taking three wickets in three consecutive balls. Hat-tricks are very rare, demonstrating the bowler’s exceptional skill, concentration, and control.

Q5. Why was this hat-trick a big deal for Odisha cricket?

This hat-trick has made Odisha cricket proud. It proves that players from Odisha can set records at the national level and perform brilliantly against strong teams.