How Many Wickets Constitute a Double Hat-Trick?

Cricket is full of rare and fascinating achievements, but few are as thrilling—and as confusing for fans—as the double hat-trick. Many people know what a hat-trick is, yet when the term double hat-trick comes up, the first question is almost always:

This article answers that clearly and then goes much deeper. We’ll cover the exact number of wickets, how a double hat-trick works, official cricket rules, famous examples, formats where it’s possible, and why it’s one of the rarest feats in cricket.

What Is a Hat-Trick in Cricket?

Before understanding a double hat-trick, it’s important to clearly define a hat-trick.

A hat-trick in cricket occurs when a bowler takes three wickets on three consecutive legal deliveries.

Key Points About a Hat-Trick:

• Wickets must be taken on consecutive balls

• Can occur across overs

• Can span across innings (in multi-innings matches)

• Can happen at any point in the match

• Extra deliveries like wides and no-balls do not count as legal balls

👉 Example:
Ball 4 – Wicket
Ball 5 – Wicket
Ball 6 – Wicket
= Hat-trick

How Many Wickets Are in a Double Hat-Trick?

✅ A double hat-trick consists of FOUR wickets on FOUR consecutive legal deliveries.

This is the official and widely accepted definition in modern cricket.

Simple Answer:

• Hat-trick = 3 wickets in 3 balls

• Double hat-trick = 4 wickets in 4 balls

So, the answer to the question:

How many wickets constitute a double hat-trick?

👉 Four wickets on four consecutive balls

Why Is It Called a Double Hat-Trick If It’s Four Wickets?

This is where confusion often arises.

Logically, many fans think:

• Hat-trick = 3 wickets

• Double hat-trick = 6 wickets

But cricket terminology doesn’t work that way.

The Reason:

• A double hat-trick is not two separate hat-tricks

• It is an extension of a hat-trick

• The fourth wicket continues the streak beyond three

In short, the term “double” emphasizes rarity and difficulty, not mathematical doubling.

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Is a Double Hat-Trick Official in Cricket Rules?

Yes.

While the ICC Laws of Cricket do not have a separate law titled Double Hat-Trick, the cricketing world officially recognizes four wickets in four balls as a double hat-trick.

Recognition:

• Commentators use the term

• Scorecards note it

• Cricket boards acknowledge it

• Media and statistics platforms record it

So although it’s not a separate law, it is officially accepted in cricket culture and records.

Can a Double Hat-Trick Span Across Overs?

✅ Yes, absolutely.

A double hat-trick:

• Does not need to occur in one over

• Can span across two overs

• Can even cross innings

Example:

• Last two balls of Over 10 → Wickets

• First two balls of Over 12 → Wickets
  (Over 11 bowled by another bowler)

Still counts as a double hat-trick, as long as:

• The same bowler takes all four wickets

• Balls are consecutive legal deliveries

Can a Double Hat-Trick Span Across Innings?

✅ Yes, in multi-innings formats (Tests, First-Class cricket)

Example:

• Bowler takes 2 wickets with the last two balls of the 1st innings

• Takes 2 wickets with the first two balls of the 2nd innings

This still counts as four wickets in four balls.

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Is a Double Hat-Trick Possible in All Formats?

Yes, but rarity varies by format.

Test Cricket

• Possible but extremely rare

• Longer spells allow opportunities

• Requires perfect control and pressure

ODI Cricket

• Slightly more likely than Tests

• Still very rare due to limited overs

T20 Cricket

• Most common format for double hat-tricks

• Aggressive batting increases wicket chances

• Still a remarkable achievement

Famous Double Hat-Tricks in Cricket History

Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka – T20Is & ODIs)

Lasith Malinga is one of the most famous names associated with double hat-tricks.

• Known for deadly yorkers

• Achieved multiple hat-tricks

• Took 4 wickets in 4 balls in international cricket

He remains one of the few bowlers to achieve this feat more than once.

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan – T20)

Rashid Khan stunned the cricketing world by taking four wickets in four balls in a T20 match.

• Showcased elite control

• Proved that spin bowlers can achieve double hat-tricks

• One of the fastest moments in modern cricket

Curtis Campher (Ireland – T20 World Cup)

Curtis Campher made history by taking:

• 4 wickets in 4 balls

• In a T20 World Cup match

This instantly entered cricket record books and popularized the term double hat-trick globally.

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Difference Between Hat-Trick and Double Hat-Trick

Can There Be a Triple Hat-Trick?

This is more of a theoretical question.

Technically:

• 5 wickets in 5 balls = sometimes called a triple hat-trick (unofficial)

• 6 wickets in 6 balls = extremely rare and not officially named

Cricket officially recognizes:

• Hat-trick (3 wickets)

• Double hat-trick (4 wickets)

Anything beyond that is usually described as:

“Five wickets in five balls”

Why Is a Double Hat-Trick So Rare?

Several reasons:

1. Pressure Resets After Three Wickets

Once three wickets fall:

• New batter arrives

• Field adjusts

• Momentum shifts

2. Batter Awareness

After a hat-trick:

• New batters play more cautiously

• Risk-taking reduces

3. Bowling Consistency

Delivering four perfect balls in a row is incredibly difficult.

Does a No-Ball or Wide Break a Double Hat-Trick?

Yes.

Only legal deliveries count.

Important Rules:

• No-ball ❌ breaks sequence

• Wide ❌ breaks sequence

• Dead ball ❌ breaks sequence

Only legal balls count toward the four consecutive deliveries.

Can Two Bowlers Share a Double Hat-Trick?

❌ No.

All four wickets must be taken by the same bowler on consecutive balls.

Is a Double Hat-Trick More Valuable Than a Five-Wicket Haul?

Not statistically, but emotionally—yes.

• Five-wicket haul shows endurance

• Double hat-trick shows explosive dominance

• It often changes the match instantly

Fans and commentators often remember double hat-tricks more vividly than regular five-fors.

Double Hat-Trick in Domestic and League Cricket

Double hat-tricks are more common in:

• IPL

• BBL

• PSL

• CPL

Because:

• Aggressive batting

• Short formats

• High-risk shots

Still, they remain extremely rare even in leagues.

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FAQs About Double Hat-Trick in Cricket

Q1. How many wickets are in a double hat-trick?

Answer: Four wickets on four consecutive legal deliveries.

Q2. Is a double hat-trick officially recognized?

Answer: Yes, it is widely recognized in cricket records and commentary.

Q3. Can a double hat-trick happen across overs?

Answer: Yes, as long as deliveries are consecutive and legal.

Q4. Can spinners take a double hat-trick?

Answer: Yes, spinners like Rashid Khan have achieved it.

Q5. Is six wickets in six balls a double hat-trick?

Answer: No. Six wickets in six balls is not officially termed a double hat-trick.

Final Thoughts

So, to answer the main question clearly:

✅ A double hat-trick in cricket consists of FOUR wickets taken on FOUR consecutive legal deliveries by the same bowler.

It is one of the rarest and most electrifying moments in cricket—an achievement that instantly puts a bowler into elite company. Whether in Tests, ODIs, or T20s, a double hat-trick represents absolute dominance, precision, and nerves of steel.

If you love cricket facts, records, and rare moments, the double hat-trick is a perfect example of why this game never stops amazing fans. 🏏