MOHALI, India — England’s rising star Sam Curran claimed the first hat trick of this season’s Indian Premier League to help his side Kings XI Punjab beat Delhi Capitals by 14 runs Monday.

Curran returned figures of 4-11 in just 2.2 overs of medium-pace bowling as Delhi lost seven wickets for eight runs and was bowled out for 152 in their chase of 167 in Mohali.

The 20-year-old Curran, who was bought by Punjab for $1 million (890,000 euros) in the Twenty20 auction in December, also hit 20 off 10 deliveries while opening the batting in place of Chris Gayle, as Kings XI made 166 for nine.

“Just came out here trying to impress. Luckily we managed to scratch a score above 150 and the bowlers were superb,” he said after receiving the man of the match award.

“I have opened in school cricket but this is probably the first time in senior cricket,” added Curran, a left-arm medium pacer and a left-handed batsman.

He then removed Colin Ingram, caught at long-off for 38.

But Curran stole the show, and the match, with his innings-ending hat trick.

He had Harshal Patel caught off the last delivery of his second over for nought and then came back to bowl Kagiso Rabada and Sandeep Lamichhane, both on zero, and end the Delhi innings in 19.2 overs.

“The crowd was so loud, I couldn’t hear my own thoughts,” the youngster said when asked how he felt.

Curran was singled out as a “game changer” by Virat Kohli after England beat visiting India 4-1 in a Test series last year.

Indian paceman Mohammed Shami complimented Curran with two wickets, including the dangerous Rishabh Pant, who top-scored with 39, as Delhi’s batting imploded.

Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin, who was slammed for his controversial ‘Mankad’ dismissal of England batsman Jos Buttler in an IPL game last week, also took two wickets.

Karunaratne apologizes

Sri Lanka’s Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne has apologized for his actions in a drink-driving accident that injured one person in Colombo and led to the cricketer’s arrest Sunday.

The injured driver was later discharged and Karunaratne was released on bail, with Sri Lanka cricket stating they would conduct their own inquiry into the incident.

“I firstly need to apologize to the owner of the other vehicle who had a few very minor injuries and was absolutely decent in his manner to very amicably sort out the matter directly with me,” Karunaratne said in a statement Monday.

“I... would like to inform all of you that he has been discharged from hospital where he was under precautionary observation and is now resting at home.

“This morning I produced myself in court and did follow the due legal process of Sri Lanka and did abide by all formalities therein required. I shall continue to assist/follow with what ever legal obligations are necessary from my end.

“I’m very much aware that perhaps my actions were utterly unbecoming of a Sri Lankan national cricketer and I do apologize to all of you for this incident.” — Agencies