First ball wicket takers in Indian Premier League

It's always a challenge for a bowler to take a wicket on his first ball in this toughest T20 League. But still, some players have successfully overcome this challenge and have registered their names in the First Ball Wicket Takers list. Let's check who are they and something about them:

1) Matheesha Pathirana

Matheesha Pathirana, a Srilankan pace bowler, known as little Malinga after the great Srilankan legend Lasith Malinga, made his debut in IPL this season on May 15, 2022, playing for Chennai Super Kings played the match between Chennai Super Kings and Gujrat Titans, where Matheesha Pathirana was brought in as the replacement of Adam Milne and took the wicket on his first ball of in-form Gujrat opener Shubhman Gill.

The Srilankan is known for his slinging action and is considered a great replacement after the retirement of Lasith Malinga. 

Matheesha Pathirana has played only one match till now in the IPL and had left a significant impact by taking two wickets in his debut. We expect many more from him in his upcoming career.   

2) Alzarri Joseph

Alzarri Joseph is a Caribbean pace bowler known for his remarkable pace. He debuted in IPL on April 06, 2019, playing for Mumbai Indians against Sunrisers Hyderabad. In his debut, Alzarri Joseph took the wicket of David Warner on his first ball and had his best bowling figure of 6/12, which is also the best bowling figure in the IPL ever. Because of his Excellent bowling spell, Mumbai Indians successfully defended a low score of 136.

In this ongoing season of IPL2022, Alzarri is playing for a new team, Gujrat Titans and has taken seven wickets in his eight matches.

3) Ali Murtaza

Ali Murtaza is an Indian first-class leg-spin bowler.

Mumbai Indians signed him to play for them in IPL 2010. He took the wicket of Naman Ojha on his first ball in the match against Rajasthan Royals, which Mumbai Indians later won by four runs.

4) Amit Singh

Amit Singh, a former cricketer turned bookie, was in the limelight for all the wrong reasons and was eventually caught in the IPL spot-fixing scandal that erupted during the 6th edition of the IPL in 2013.

Singh was a right-arm fast bowler who wowed Rajasthan Royals since making his first-class debut for Gujarat in 2004. Despite having played a few first-class games, convinced him to sign an IPL contract with Rajasthan Royals in 2009

In the first ball of his debut season, the Indian Pacer dismissed Sunny Sohal, who played for Punjab Kings. Before getting banned, he had played 23 matches in IPL.

5) Ishant Sharma 

Ishant Sharma became the first bowler in IPL history to grab a wicket with his first ball. In IPL 2008, Ishant grabbed Rahul Dravid's wicket in a match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Wilkin Mota accomplished the same thing in IPL 2008, taking Suresh Raina's wicket.

TP Sudhindra

This right-arm, medium-pace allrounder became the seventh bowler to take the first ball wicket in a debut match. He claimed the wicket of Faf du Plessis for an individual score of 39 runs Deccan Chargers against Chennai Super Kings match no. 6 on April 07, 2012. Sudhindra, on the other hand, spent 46 runs in his four-over quota and only took one wicket.

Wilkin Mota

Wilkin Mota was an Indian right-handed allrounder who bowled right-arm medium and was only the second bowler in IPL history to capture his maiden wicket on the first ball of his over for Punjab's inaugural season of  IPL, Suresh Raina, fell victim to him following a 13-ball 33-run knock in the season's second match on April 19, 2008. 

Mota grabbed two wickets for 24 runs in two overs in the contest. Punjab scored 207 runs in 20 overs after being set a big target of 241 runs, losing the match by 33 runs.

Shane Harwood

On May 02, 2009, the former Australian medium-fast bowler took his first IPL wicket against Deccan. On the first pitch in the powerplay's final over, Azhar Bilakhia fell victim to him. Harwood was instrumental in limiting DC to 141 runs by taking two wickets for 25 runs in four overs. Rajasthan went on to win the match by three wickets with three balls to spare.