Kagiso Rabada took three wickets off as many deliveries in the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad and despite that, he was denied a hat-trick. Check out why -

KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Kagiso Rabada shone for Delhi Capitals and scalped four wickets against SRH
With total 29 scalps, he now owns the Purple Cap
Rabada was denied a hat-trick despite taking three wickets off as many balls

Delhi Capitals' (DC) lead pacer Kagiso Rabada played a key role in sealing a final spot for his team for the first time in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). After going wicketless in three out of past four matches, the pressure was on Rabada to deliver in the all-important Qualifier 2 and the South African stepped up by bowling a spell of 4-0-29-4.

With his match-winning spell, Rabada also toppled Jasprit Bumrah from the top of the list and now owns the Purple Cap with 29 wickets in his account. Bumrah, who has played two matches less than Rabada, sits at the second spot with 27 scalps.

Rabada made an immediate impact and dismissed David Warner on the very first bowl he bowled. He bowled another over in the powerplay before being reintroduced in the 11th over. The 25-year-old returned to bowl the 19th over as well.

Eyeing a spot in the final after two years, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) were sitting at a score of 160/5 after 18, still 30 runs away from the target. The batsmen collected seven runs off the first two balls to put Rabada under pressure. But the right-arm pacer made a strong comeback and dismissed Abdul Samad, Rashid Khan and Shreevats Goswami off three deliveries.

Despite taking three wickets off consecutive balls, Rabada was denied a hat-trick, which has left many surprised. But did Rabada really take a hat-trick? Check out the reason behind Rabada being denied a hat-trick -

Rabada did scalp wickets off three consecutive legal deliveries but not to forget, he also delivered a wide ball. The wide ball took the balls bowled count to four. As per the rules, a bowler has to take three wickets off three back-to-back deliveries. Since Rabada took three wickets off four balls, he was denied a hat-trick.

Rabada did scalp wickets off three consecutive legal deliveries but not to forget, he also delivered a wide ball. The wide ball took the balls bowled count to four. As per the rules, a bowler has to take three wickets off three back-to-back deliveries. Since Rabada took three wickets off four balls, he was denied a hat-trick.

Had Rabada taken a hat-trick, he would have become only second DC bowler after Amit Mishra to achieve this feat. The senior leg-spinner had taken a hat-trick back in 2008.

With a win over SRH in the second Qualifier, DC have booked a final berth and are set to face defending champions, Mumbai Indians, in their maiden final tomorrow (November 10).