In international Test cricket, who was the first Indian bowler ever to take a hat trick (three wickets in three consecutive deliveries) in a Test match?

Introduction / Context:

A hat trick in cricket, especially in Test matches, is a rare and celebrated achievement. For Indian cricket fans and exam aspirants, the identity of the first Indian bowler to take a Test hat trick is a classic general knowledge fact. This question specifically asks about the first Indian to accomplish a Test hat trick at the international level, not in limited overs formats.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The format under discussion is international Test cricket.
• A hat trick means taking three wickets in three consecutive legal deliveries.
• The options list several famous Indian bowlers: Jasu Patel, Kapil Dev, Harbhajan Singh, B. S. Chandrasekhar and Chetan Sharma.
• We need to identify who, among them, was first to take a Test hat trick for India.

Concept / Approach:

Harbhajan Singh, the Indian off spinner, achieved historic fame during the 2001 Border Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia. In the Kolkata Test at Eden Gardens, he became the first Indian bowler to take a hat trick in Test cricket, dismissing Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne in consecutive balls. Although Chetan Sharma was the first Indian bowler to take a hat trick in One Day Internationals, that was in the 1987 World Cup and does not apply to Tests. Recognising the distinction between Test and ODI hat tricks is crucial for answering this question correctly.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Historical Test match records from the 2001 India versus Australia series clearly highlight Harbhajan Singh's hat trick as a landmark achievement. The sequence of wickets and the match commentary are widely documented. While Chetan Sharma took a World Cup hat trick in ODIs, official lists of Test hat tricks show Harbhajan Singh as the first Indian to achieve this feat in Test cricket. Checking these lists removes any confusion between formats and confirms the answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Option A (Jasu Patel): A notable Indian off spinner of an earlier era, but he never took a Test hat trick.

Option B (Kapil Dev): India's legendary all rounder and former captain, but he did not achieve a Test hat trick.

Option D (B. S. Chandrasekhar): A famous leg spinner, yet he is not recorded as the first Test hat trick taker for India.

Option E (Chetan Sharma): He is remembered for the first ODI hat trick for India in the 1987 World Cup, not for a Test hat trick.

Common Pitfalls:

The most common mistake is to pick Chetan Sharma because many students remember the 1987 World Cup hat trick but ignore the format mentioned in the question. Always read the words Test, ODI or T20 carefully. Another error is mixing up different bowling records, such as five wicket hauls and hat tricks. Focusing on both the format and the specific achievement will help you avoid these traps in exam questions.

Final Answer:

The first Indian to take a hat trick in an international Test match was Harbhajan Singh.