The veteran Indian pacer delivered an immediate impact, striking with the very first ball of Delhi Capitals’ chase by dismissing KL Rahul for a golden duck. In doing so, Shami etched his name into the IPL record books, becoming the first bowler in the tournament’s 18-year history to claim five first-ball wickets — a remarkable and unmatched feat.
Shami finished with impressive figures of 1 for 28 in his four overs, once again showcasing his control, discipline, and rhythm despite being out of India’s national setup for over a year. His early breakthrough played a key role in reducing Delhi Capitals to 26 for 4, briefly putting Lucknow in a commanding position.
However, LSG failed to capitalize on that strong start. Delhi Capitals staged a composed recovery, led by a brilliant unbeaten 70 from Sameer Rizvi and a steady 39 from Tristan Stubbs, guiding their side to a comfortable six-wicket victory while chasing a modest target of 142.
Earlier in the evening, Lucknow’s batting lineup struggled to find momentum. Regular wickets and a lack of substantial partnerships saw them bundled out for 141 in just 18.4 overs. Delhi’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Lungi Ngidi and T Natarajan, kept the pressure on throughout, dismantling LSG’s batting order with precision.
Despite the defeat, Shami’s performance stood out as a major positive for Lucknow. Ahead of the match, the 35-year-old had dismissed any speculation about retirement, stating that he would only step away from the game when he feels “bored,” not due to age, injuries, or selection setbacks. His hunger and passion for the game remain evident.
With this milestone, Shami now leads the list for most first-ball wickets in IPL history with five, ahead of several notable bowlers — including Pravin Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Trent Boult, Lasith Malinga, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashok Dinda, and Pat Cummins — all of whom have three each.
While the result did not favor Lucknow Super Giants, Shami’s historic achievement and continued excellence with the ball offer hope. As the tournament progresses, LSG will look to regroup quickly and turn their fortunes around.
