The Historic First Ball Six

As Punjab Kings stepped out to bat first at the picturesque Dharamshala stadium, all eyes were on the opening pair. Facing the world-renowned pace of Mitchell Starc, Priyansh Arya didn’t hesitate for a second. He sent the very first delivery of the game soaring over the covers for a stunning six.

With this shot, Arya became the first player in IPL history to hit a six off the first ball of a match on two separate occasions. He had previously achieved this incredible feat in IPL 2025 against Khaleel Ahmed during a match against Chennai Super Kings.

Surpassing the Legends: Ahead of Kohli and Jaiswal

While cricketing icons like Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal have also hit sixes off the first ball of a match, they have only managed to do so once. Priyansh has not only repeated the feat but has now moved into elite company. He trails only Yashasvi Jaiswal in terms of the total number of times an innings (either the first or second) has been started with a maximum, with Jaiswal having done so four times.

The Onslaught Continues: A 24-Ball Half-Century

Arya’s aggression wasn’t limited to just the opening delivery. He continued to tear into Starc’s over, hitting another six, while his partner Prabhsimran Singh joined the party with a boundary. Punjab Kings looted 22 runs from the opening over alone.

• Lightning Start: Punjab Kings reached their team 50 in just 16 balls.
• Third Fifty of the Season: Priyansh kept the momentum going, reaching his half-century in a mere 24 balls. This was his third fifty of the current season, a knock that pushed the Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack completely onto the backfoot.

Conclusion

Priyansh Arya’s fearless batting has emerged as the biggest strength for Punjab Kings this season. To take on a bowler of Mitchell Starc’s caliber with such confidence on the very first ball highlights his immense talent and mental toughness. If he continues this form, a call-up to the national side may not be far away.

Disclaimer: This report is based on match details from IPL 2026 and available sporting statistics. For official confirmation of records, please refer to the official IPL database.

The post Priyansh Arya Makes History: First Batter to Smash Mitchell Starc for a Six on the First Ball of an IPL Match appeared first on Mission Ki Awaaz.