How Many Wickets Constitute A Double Hat Trick?

Cricket is a game of ability, time and some magical moments. In all forms of cricket, only getting multiple wickets off two consecutive deliveries is considered a bigger achievement. Many cricket lovers are aware about a hat-trick, but they still get puzzled after listening the word double hat trick. Which brings us to a much-asked, equally carefully stalled question: What is the double hat-trick?

In this comprehensive piece, penned from the pen of a cricket writer (with over 15 years experience) we explain to you all about a double hat-trick in very simple English. By the end of this article you will know exactly what a double hat-trick is, how many wickets are needed, what actually counts and doesn’t count and why it is such a wrare feat in cricket.

What Is a Hat-Trick in Cricket?

Before understanding a double hat trick, you should know what it means, for those who do not understand the term hat-trick.

A hat-trick is achieved when a bowler takes three wickets on consecutive deliveries, in the same match. These may be taken within the same over or across two overs, but they must be taken with consecutive deliveries.

Key Points of a Hat-Trick:

• Three wickets
• Three consecutive legal balls
• Same bowler
• Same match

Meanwhile, a hat-trick itself is something monumental in cricket as it alters the flow of the game completely.

How Many Wickets Are In A Double Hat Trick?

Now let’s cut to the chase and reply to the main question:
What is the double hat-trick in cricket?

👉 A double hat trick occurs when a bowler takes four wickets off the consecutive legal deliveries in the same game.
Bring it on. And then throw an easy and correct answer at us, right?

A double hat trick is FOUR wickets in 4 balls—make that DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR THE BATTER!

This feat is one level higher than a regular hat-trick and very rarely achieved in professional cricket.

Double Hat-Trick vs Hat-Trick (Simple Comparison)

Achievement	Wickets Taken	Balls Required
Hat-Trick	3 wickets	3 consecutive balls
Double Hat-Trick	4 wickets	4 consecutive balls

This table succinctly explains why the double hat trick is seen as a more special and tougher feat.

What is Considered a Double Hat Trick?

And it’s also worth understanding what does and doesn’t count when it comes to a number of wickets taken in the space of some maddened hat-trick-over time.

Conditions That Must Be Met:

• All four become balls if they are legal deliveries
• The credit of all wickets should go to the same bowler.
• Wickets have to come off consecutive balls
• Event must occur in same match

If any of those conditions is achieved, it will not be known as double hat trick.

What Does NOT Count as a Double Hat-Trick?

A lot of folks get this part mixed up, so we’ll clear it with easy pointers.

These Do NOT Count:

• Run-out (unless the bowler is officially credited)
• Wickets on no-balls or wides
• Wickets taken by different bowlers
• Non-consecutive deliveries

Even if four wickets go down in rapid succession, they cannot be included unless the sticking points above are adhered to.

Read More: Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline

Can There Be A Double Hat-Trick Across Overs?

Yes, absolutely.

It need not be in the same over to get a double hat trick.
It can happen:

• Last two balls of one over
• first two balls of the other end

The mark remains as long as the deliveries are both legal and consecutive.

What Makes a Double Hattrick So Uncommon?

Knowing the number of wickets that make up a double hat-trick also provides insight into why it is so rare.

Main Reasons:

• Batsmen become cautious after two wickets
• Captains change field settings
• Pressure increases on the bowler
• There’s more likelihood of a defensive shot being played.
• The sequence is broken by one tiny mistake.

For all these reasons, for even the best and most experienced of bowlers to take four wickets in four balls is very rare.

Notable Double Hat-Tricks in Test Cricket 1.

Not many bowlers have accomplished this rarity.

Notable Example:

• Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) – 4 wickets in 4 balls in international cricket

Those are the kind of things that live long in the memory down the years and supporters just replay time after time.

Double Hat-Trick in Different Cricket Formats

A double hat-trick is possible in all forms of cricket.

Formats Where It Is Possible:

• Test Cricket
• One Day Internationals (ODIs)
• T20 Internationals
• Domestic cricket
• League cricket (like IPL)

But in shorter formats such as T20s there are marginally more opportunities as batsmen play with greater aggression.

Read More: India national cricket team vs England cricket team timeline

Does a Double Hat Trick Mean Two Goals?

This is a widespread confusion.
👉 No, a double hat-trick does not refer to two different hat-tricks.

It simply means:

• One session of four wickets in four deliveries

It is not double hat trick but extension of the hat-trick over two matches.

Difference Between Double Hat Trick and Super Over Performances

Few fans even mistake amazing overs for a double hat-trick.

Situation	Is It a Double Hat-Trick?
4 wickets in one over but not consecutive	❌ No
3 wickets, one dot ball, then another wicket	❌ No
4 wickets in 4 legal balls	✅ Yes

It’s all about delivering on time one after the other.

When Is a Double Hat-trick the Deciding Factor in Match?

A double hat-trick can absolutely change a game.

Major Impacts:

• Breaks batting confidence
• Causes batting collapse
• Boosts team morale
• Shifts match momentum instantly
• Creates pressure on the opposition

That’s why this accomplishment is so widely revered.

Common Myths About Double Hat-Tricks

Let’s dispel some common misconceptions here.

Myth 1: Four wickets in an over is a double hat-trick.

❌ Wrong. They must be consecutive deliveries.

Myth 2: Run-outs count

❌ Wrong. Only bowler-credited wickets count.

Myth 3: It can occur across multiple games

❌ Wrong. It must be in the same match.

Read More: Bangladesh National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline

Why Fans Ask: How Many Wickets Are A Double Hat-Trick?

This question is popular because:

• The term is rarely used
• Different sources explain it differently
• It happens very rarely
• Fans want clear rules

You know the right and formal explanation now.

Final Answer in One Line

To clearly conclude:

FOUR wickets on FOUR consecutive legal balls by the same bowler in the same match make a double hattrick.
Nothing more, nothing less.

FAQs About double hat-trick