In a thrilling IPL 2026 clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) at Dharamsala's HPCA Stadium, young opener Priyansh Arya etched his name into the record books with a stunning start. Facing the formidable Mitchell Starc, Arya smashed the very first ball of the innings for a massive six, setting the tone for his side's chase.

This explosive hit wasn't just a statement of intent—it was a historic moment. Arya has now become the only player in IPL history to hit a six off the first ball of an innings twice. The first time he achieved this feat was against Chennai Super Kings' Khaleel Ahmed back in IPL 2025. With this latest maximum, Arya has surpassed Virat Kohli on the elite list of batters who have launched the first ball of an IPL innings into the stands.

Kohli had previously accomplished this in 2019, when he took Rajasthan Royals' Varun Aaron over the boundary. The exclusive club also includes Naman Ojha, Phil Salt, and Yashasvi Jaiswal—the latter having also taken Mitchell Starc for a six on the first ball during a match between Rajasthan Royals and DC in IPL 2026.

Beyond the record, Arya's form has been a cornerstone of PBKS's strong campaign. Currently the team's fourth-highest run-scorer, the left-hander notched his third half-century of the season in this match. His consistency at the top of the order has been instrumental in keeping Punjab Kings in the upper half of the league table as the tournament enters its crucial business end. With Arya firing on all cylinders, PBKS's title aspirations look increasingly promising.