Indian pacer Mohammed Shami made remarkable history in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on May 23, 2026. He became the first bowler ever to take a wicket with the first ball of an innings six times. This milestone surpasses the record previously held by Jofra Archer of the Rajasthan Royals.
Historic Achievement at Ekana Stadium
This landmark moment occurred during a match between the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Shami claimed his record-setting wicket by eliminating PBKS opener Priyansh Arya, who failed to manage a rapid bouncer and was caught at mid-wicket by Arjun Tendulkar.
Shami’s First-Ball Wickets
- Mohammed Shami: 6 first-ball wickets
- Jofra Archer: 5 first-ball wickets
- Shaheen Afridi: 9 first-ball wickets in T20s
- Luke Wood: 9 first-ball wickets in T20s
- David Willey: 8 first-ball wickets
- Trent Boult: 7 first-ball wickets
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Amir, Dirk Nannes, and Sohail Tanvir: 6 first-ball wickets each
In addition to this achievement, Shami’s performance in T20 cricket has been impressive. He has conceded only 40 runs off 79 deliveries faced as the opening bowler, maintaining a strong average of 6.66.
Shami’s Continued Impact
After securing Arya’s wicket, Shami dismissed another key batter, Cooper Connolly. Thus far in the 2026 IPL season, he has taken 12 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 36.08.
Despite his outstanding performance, Shami was not included in India’s squad for the upcoming ODI and Test series against Afghanistan. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar noted that while Shami has been playing domestically, his current fitness level is more suited for T20 games.
Shami’s record-breaking feat in the IPL showcases his skill as a bowler and raises questions about his selection for future national duties.
