Yashasvi Jaiswal continued to stack remarkable markers in the IPL, launching a huge six off the opening delivery against Delhi Capitals in Jaipur. The left-hander was matched up with Mitchell Starc, and he wasted no time making his intent clear. Starc bowled short and sat the ball in a workable area, but Jaiswal read the line early and stayed balanced, then swung the pace cleanly over backward square leg for a maximum.
That first-ball strike moved Jaiswal to the summit of the IPL list for the most sixes hit on the very first ball of an innings. It was the fourth time he had managed the feat, underlining how often he turns the start into a statement. The record now places Jaiswal level with the very best of IPL openers in terms of impact, with his tally reaching the top at four. The most first-ball sixes in IPL innings: 4 – Yashasvi Jaiswal*, 2 – Priyansh Arya, and then a cluster on 1 each including Naman Ojha, Mayank Agarwal, Sunil Narine, Virat Kohli, Robin Uthappa, Phil Salt, and Sanju Samson.
Jaiswal’s moment also added another name to a rare group—batters who have struck a six off the first ball of an IPL match. In this company, Naman Ojha achieved it for RR off Brad Hodge in Durban in 2009, Virat Kohli did it for RCB off Varun Aaron in Bengaluru in 2019, and Phil Salt produced the same kind of start for KKR against Nuwan Thushara in Kolkata in 2024. Priyansh Arya later joined the list for PBKS off Khaleel Ahmed in Mullanpur in 2025, and now Jaiswal’s run continues with his six off Mitchell Starc in Jaipur in 2026*.
However, the breakthrough did not last long. Starc struck straight back by dismissing Jaiswal on the third ball of the innings. A full toss appeared to catch the batter off guard, and Jaiswal’s attempted swipe ended up sending the ball back to the bowler, delivering Starc his first wicket of the season. The early momentum for Rajasthan Royals then took another hit when Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was dismissed in the following over for just 4, leaving the hosts facing pressure despite the explosive start.
Earlier in the contest, Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag had chosen to bat. Starc also returned to action after recovering from a shoulder injury, and his response to the early damage was immediate—turning the opening surge into a quick turnaround for Delhi.
