Karthik Palaniapan Meiyappan was born in Chennai, where cricket is now almost synonymous with a certain man from Jharkhand. He moved to the UAE in 2007 when his father found work there, and calls it home now. He did his adopted nation proud today, when he became the first bowler to take a hat-trick at the 2022 T20 World Cup.
In a Group A First Round match against Sri Lanka, Meiyappan dismissed Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka in the 15th over as the Islanders slumped to 117 for 5, from a comfortable 92/2.
Opener Pathum Nissanka hit a 60-ball 74 to take Sri Lanka to 152 for 8. In reply, the UAE were bowled out for 73 in 17.1 overs.
Sri Lanka will take on Netherlands in a must-win last group match on Thursday, while Namibia will be up against the UAE.
Surprised by Namibia in their tournament opener, the Lankans were given quite a scare by Meiyappan. He became just the fifth man to take a hat-trick at a T20 World Cup, after Brett Lee, Curtis Campher, Wanindu Hasaranga and Kagiso Rabada. He has played only 13 T20Is, but has already 21 wickets to his name.
The 22-year-old has trained with both Chennai Super Kings and Royals Challengers Bangalore, but is naturally inclined towards his 'home team', led by former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. When asked whether he expected a call from Chennai, he said, “That is something I don't know about. But I hope they do.”