3 Indians to take a first-ball wicket in men's T20Is

Bowling is all about rhythm and repetition. The more a bowler bowls, the greater his chances of landing the ball in the desired areas and deceiving the batter. A bowler needs to loosen up and set the right field to conjure a wicket‑taking delivery.

Therefore, taking a wicket with the very first ball in an international game is no mean feat. Yet a few bowlers have managed to achieve it, and three Indians find themselves on this elite list. Let’s look at those three India players who hold the distinction of claiming a wicket on the first ball of a T20I match.

#1 Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh was the first Indian to claim a wicket on the first ball of a men’s T20I. The moment came in the USA vs India fixture at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Playing at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, India elected to field, and skipper Rohit Sharma handed the new ball to Arshdeep.

The left‑arm pacer bowled a conventional inswinger that pitched on off‑stump and swung back in, trapping USA opener Shayan Jahangir in front of his pegs. Arshdeep celebrappealed, and umpire Sam Nogajski raised his finger. India went on to win the game by seven wickets with 10 balls to spare.

#2 Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya also chose a big stage to script the feat when India and Pakistan met during the Men’s T20 Asia Cup in 2025. It was the first clash between the arch‑rivals after the kinetic conflict earlier that year. Pakistan elected to bat in Dubai but were jolted immediately as Hardik dismissed Saim Ayub for a golden duck.

Ayub attempted an aerial square drive to a 123kph length ball angling across him, but ended up hitting it straight to Jasprit Bumrah at point. India won the contest by seven wickets with 25 balls to spare.

#3 Mayank Yadav

Mayank Yadav is the latest to join the elusive list. The right‑arm quick dismissed Brian Bennett of Zimbabwe in the first T20I of the ongoing three‑match series on July 23 in Harare, striking with the very first ball.

Mayank bowled a short‑of‑a‑good‑length delivery around off‑stump, which moved away slightly after pitching and squared Bennett up. The ball kissed the outside edge and went straight into Ishan Kishan’s gloves. It was Mayank’s comeback game after an injury layoff, and he finished with figures of 2/18, earning the Player of the Match award.