Odisha pacer Rajesh Mohanty records Vijay Hazare Trophy hat-trick against Services

Day two of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 was a historic day for Odisha cricket, as the pacer Rajesh Mohanty became the first Odisha bowler to record a hat-trick in the history of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. 

It was the Elite Group D fixture between Odisha and Services at Alur, where Odisha sent their opponents to bat first. Thanks to Rajesh Mohanty's hat-trick, Services were bundled out for only 83 runs in just 21.5 overs. In reply, Odisha chased down the target in 24.3 overs after losing six wickets.

See Also: Who is Raj Limbani who claimed 5 wickets in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26?

Rajesh Mohanty recorded his hat-trick in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26

The new-ball bowler Rajesh Mohanty recorded his hat-trick in his fourth over of the match, which was the seventh over of the innings. In the first three balls of that over, Rajesh dismissed the opener Sagar Dahiya (9), Amit Shukla (0), and Ravi Chauhan (0) to complete his hat-trick. While Dahiya was bowled, Amit and Ravi were trapped for lbw. 

Later, Rajesh dismissed the no.10 batter Raj Bahadur for only 9 runs, as the pacer had the bowling figures of 9-2-25-4. Only the late batters Poonam Poonia (25), Arjun Sharma (13*), and the opener Nitin Tanwar (11) managed to reach double-digit scores in the first innings. On the other hand, another right-arm pacer Sambit Baral also claimed four wickets, as he had the bowling figures of 8.5-0-21-4.

Rajesh Mohanty was also second highest scorer for Odisha's successful chase

In reply, Odisha lost both their openers in the first two overs. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Odisha managed to secure a victory in the game, thanks to the knock of 32 not out by the no.3 batter Sandeep Pattnaik. Meanwhile, the hat-trick star Rajesh Mohanty scored a crucial 12 runs, as he won the Player of the Match award for his brilliant all-round performance. Govinda Poddar (11) was the other batter to manage a double-digit score in that chase. 

Among the Services bowlers, Poonam Ponia got four wickets (9.3-0-27-4), while his new ball partner Nitin Yadav got two wickets (8-2-20-2).