Jaipur, May 1: Yashasvi Jaiswal once again underlined his fearless approach at the top of the order, smashing Mitchell Starc for a six off the very first ball in Match 43 of IPL 2026 between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Friday (May 1).
The audacious stroke not only set the tone for the innings but also placed Jaiswal in elite company - and then above it.
A Rare Feat in IPL History
Hitting a six off the very first ball of an IPL innings remains one of the rarest and most aggressive statements a batter can make. Over the years, only a handful of players have managed to pull it off.
With his strike against Starc, the joined - and further strengthened - an exclusive list that includes names like Virat Kohli and Phil Salt.
Six Off the First Ball of an IPL Innings
| Player | Team | Bowler | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naman Ojha | RR | Brad Hodge | KKR | Durban | 2009 |
| Virat Kohli | RCB | Varun Aaron | RR | Bengaluru | 2019 |
| Phil Salt | KKR | Nuwan Thushara | MI | Kolkata | 2024 |
| Priyansh Arya | PBKS | Khaleel Ahmed | CSK | Mullanpur | 2025 |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | RR | Mitchell Starc | DC | Jaipur | 2026 |
Jaiswal's Growing Legacy at the Top
While the feat
itself is rare, what sets Jaiswal apart is consistency in doing it. The left-hander now holds the record for the most instances of hitting a six on the first ball of an IPL innings, highlighting his aggressive mindset from ball one.
Most Times Hitting Six on First Ball of an IPL Innings
| Player | Times |
|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 4 |
| Priyansh Arya | 2 |
| Naman Ojha | 1 |
| Mayank Agarwal | 1 |
| Sunil Narine | 1 |
| Virat Kohli | 1 |
| Robin Uthappa | 1 |
| Phil Salt | 1 |
| Sanju Samson | 1 |
Setting the Tone Against Mitchell Starc
What made this particular six stand out was the bowler at the receiving end.
Mitchell Starc, known for his pace, swing, and ability to strike early, is not someone batters typically take on from ball one. Yet Jaiswal showed no hesitation, stepping into the shot and clearing the boundary with authority.
It was a statement of intent - not just against Starc, but against any bowler looking to dominate early.
A Batter Redefining Powerplay Intent
Jaiswal's approach reflects a broader shift in T20 batting - one where the powerplay is no longer about settling in, but about dictating terms immediately.
His ability to: Attack from the first ball, Target elite bowlers, and Maintain consistency in aggression make him one of the most dangerous openers in IPL 2026.
Moments like these go beyond statistics - they shape momentum, influence field settings, and put bowlers on the back foot instantly.
With yet another first-ball six, Yashasvi Jaiswal has not only added to his growing list of achievements but also reinforced his reputation as one of the most fearless batters in the league.
