Priyansh Arya Smashes Mitchell Starc for First-Ball Six in IPL 2026 Clash

Punjab Kings opener Priyansh Arya made immediate history in Dharamsala by hitting Delhi Capitals fast bowler Mitchell Starc for a six on the first delivery of their IPL 2026 matchup. Arya stepped out of his crease and drove Starc over cover point, shifting pressure onto the Delhi bowling attack at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.

The boundary places Arya on an exclusive list of batters who have hit a maximum on the very first delivery of an IPL match. He also moves into second place for the most first-ball sixes in IPL innings overall, trailing only Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Elite Company: First-Ball Sixes in IPL History

Hitting a six off the opening delivery of an IPL match remains one of the tournament’s rarest statistical feats. Arya joins a short list of players who have successfully attacked the opening ball of a game.

In addition to opening-match deliveries, the record for most sixes hit on the first ball of an IPL innings is currently held by Yashasvi Jaiswal with four. Arya’s strike against Starc marks his third such shot.

Match Setup and Playing XIs

Earlier in the evening, Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel won the toss and elected to field. Delhi implemented five changes to their starting lineup, bringing in Abishek Porel, Sahil Parakh, David Miller, Madhav Tiwari, and Auqib Nabi Dar.

The Punjab Kings handed a franchise debut to Australian left-arm fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis, who stepped in to replace injured speedster Lockie Ferguson.

Confirmed Lineups