This teammate of MS Dhoni has made history by securing the first hat-trick of 2025, he is....

We are just one week into 2025, and we've already seen the first hat-trick in ODI cricket. This remarkable feat was achieved by Maheesh Theekshana, a teammate of MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings, hailing from Sri Lanka.

The Lankan off-spinner became the seventh bowler from his country to secure an ODI hat-trick during the second match against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Wednesday. Theekshana took down Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith with the last two deliveries of his seventh over, and then Matt Henry was dismissed off the very first ball of his eighth over, marking Theekshana's first-ever ODI hat-trick.

Replacing Lahiru Kumara for this match, Theekshana was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, finishing with impressive figures of 4/44 in 8 overs, as New Zealand set a target of 255 for 9 in a rain-affected second ODI. Besides Theekshana, other Sri Lankans who have achieved an ODI hat-trick include Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Farveez Maharoof, Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Shehan Madhushanka.

Vaas boasts two ODI hat-tricks, while the legendary Lasith Malinga has three to his name throughout his ODI career.

Theekshana's exceptional performance helped contain the Black Caps after they started strong, with all-rounder Rachin Ravindra scoring 79 off 63 balls, including 1 six and 9 fours, and Mark Chapman contributing 62 off 52 balls with 2 sixes and 5 fours. Together, Ravindra and Chapman propelled New Zealand to 143 runs in under 20 overs.

However, Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga tightened the screws to limit the home side's scoring. Leg-spinner Hasaranga finished with figures of 2/39.

Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl in the second ODI against New Zealand. Due to rain, the match was shortened to 37 overs per innings. The toss was delayed by 2.5 hours, finally taking place at 4 p.m. as umpires waited for the rain to cease and the outfield to dry.

Kamindu Mendis tried to stabilize the innings for Sri Lanka with his 64 runs, but it wasn't sufficient to turn things around. Sri Lanka faced a heavy defeat by 113 runs, following a significant loss to New Zealand in the first ODI. Despite being considerably weakened by injuries and absences, New Zealand secured the series. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, is nearly at full strength, yet the struggles of their top five batsmen persist, even in a match affected by rain.

Also read| 'Told Virat I idolise him, he said...': Sam Konstas reveals chat with 'legend' Kohli after shoulder bump-incident at MCG