IPL 2026: Shami Becomes First Bowler With 5 First-Ball IPL Wickets, KL Rahul Goes For Duck

Mohammed Shami scripted a historic milestone in the Indian Premier League, becoming the first bowler in the tournament’s 18-year history to claim a wicket on the very first ball of an innings five times. The record-breaking moment came during Lucknow Super Giants’ opening match of IPL 2026 against Delhi Capitals, where Shami dismissed KL Rahul off the very first delivery of the chase. Despite the remarkable achievement, Lucknow Super Giants went on to lose the match by six wickets at their home ground.

Shami’s feat places him ahead of a distinguished group of bowlers, including Pravin Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Trent Boult, Lasith Malinga, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashok Dinda, and Pat Cummins, all of whom have taken first-ball wickets three times each in IPL history. The early breakthrough briefly lifted LSG’s hopes as they defended a modest total of 141, but the momentum could not be sustained against a determined Delhi Capitals lineup.

Chasing 142, Delhi Capitals found themselves in early trouble at 26 for 4 within the first five overs, with LSG bowlers exploiting helpful seam conditions. However, a match-winning partnership between Sameer Rizvi and Tristan Stubbs turned the game decisively. Rizvi, who came in as an impact substitute, remained unbeaten on 70 off 47 balls, while Stubbs supported him with a steady 39 not out off 32 deliveries.

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The duo stitched together an unbroken 119-run stand for the fifth wicket, steering Delhi Capitals to victory in just 17.1 overs. Rizvi displayed composure against quality bowling from Shami, Mohsin Khan, and Prince Yadav before accelerating his scoring. His innings included a mix of calculated aggression and smart shot selection, highlighted by five boundaries and four sixes that dismantled LSG’s bowling attack.

Earlier in the match, Lucknow Super Giants struggled with the bat after being put in to play by Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel. The batting unit failed to build partnerships, eventually getting bowled out for 141 in 18.4 overs. Questionable tactical decisions and a lack of application from the top and middle order contributed to their underwhelming total on a pitch that offered assistance to seamers.

While Shami’s historic achievement stood out as a major talking point, the overall result highlighted Lucknow’s shortcomings in both batting depth and match execution. For Delhi Capitals, the comeback victory underscored their resilience and depth, with Rizvi’s standout performance emerging as a key positive as they began their IPL 2026 campaign on a winning note.

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