Watch: Mohammed Shami dismisses KL Rahul on first ball in LSG vs DC IPL 2026 clash

Mohammed Shami made an immediate impact on his debut for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL 2026, delivering a wicket with the very first ball of his spell against Delhi Capitals (DC) on Wednesday.

After LSG posted a modest total of 141, Shami provided the perfect start while defending the target. Opening the bowling, he dismissed KL Rahul for a duck on the first delivery, with the batter caught by Mohsin Khan near the boundary.

The moment marked a memorable debut for Shami, who joined LSG from Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of the 2026 season. His instant success reinforced his reputation as one of the most effective new-ball bowlers in T20 cricket.

Watch Mohammed Shami strike with the first ball on his LSG debut:

Mohammed Shami delivers dream start with first-ball wicket

After Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)were bowled out for 141, Mohammed Shami provided an ideal start with the ball during Delhi Capitals (DC)’s chase. Opening the bowling, he struck on the very first delivery of his debut match. DC opener KL Rahul was caught by Mohsin Khan near the boundary.

Shami delivered a well-shaped outswinger, and Rahul went for an aggressive drive. The ball took a thick edge and flew towards third man, where Mohsin completed a safe catch. Rahul departed for a duck, handing LSG a perfect early breakthrough. While Rahul was left stunned, Shami celebrated the crucial wicket.

This marked the second time Shami has dismissed Rahul for a golden duck in the IPL, the previous instance coming in 2022. The numbers underline Shami’s dominance in this contest, with Rahul finding it difficult to counter him in T20 cricket.

Notably, Shami now holds the record for the most wickets taken on the first ball of an IPL innings, having achieved the feat five times. It highlights his exceptional ability to strike early and put opposition teams under immediate pressure.

See also -Shami Puts in the Hard Yards at India’s First Training Session Ahead of England T20Is

KL Rahul’s early dismissal puts LSG under immediate pressure 

It was a crucial early breakthrough for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who were defending a modest total. The dismissal of KL Rahul shifted the momentum in LSG’s favour following their underwhelming performance with the bat.

Delhi Capitals (DC) soon found themselves in deep trouble as wickets fell in quick succession. They slumped to 26/4 within the Powerplay, putting their chase under severe pressure.

After Mohammed Shami removed Rahul, Mohsin Khan struck in his opening over to dismiss Nitish Rana. The pressure intensified when Prince Yadav picked up two wickets in the following over, removing Pathum Nissanka and DC captain Axar Patel, leaving the visitors in disarray.

LSG’s bowlers capitalized on the early momentum, maintaining disciplined lines and restricting scoring opportunities. As a result, the required run rate continued to climb, further compounding DC’s difficulties.

However, Sameer Rizvi and Tristan Stubbs led a measured recovery. The pair built a composed partnership, rotating the strike effectively and selecting their shots with care. Their 50-run stand for the fifth wicket brought stability to the innings, guiding DC to 83/4 in 11 overs.

Their effort helped steady the chase and kept DC in contention despite the early collapse.

Brief Score:

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): 141 all out

Delhi Capitals (DC): 145/4 in 17.1 overs (Target: 142)

Result: DC won by 6 wickets with 17 balls remaining.