Team India star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is one of the toughest bowlers to face upfront for any batter, regardless of their reputations or the conditions at play. His well-documented unorthodox action, and the ability to make the new ball talk, make him one of the bowlers who are guaranteed to make an early breakthrough across formats.
While Bumrah has had several wickets off his very first over, the first-ball strikes are naturally rare. During the second ODI against England at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, he achieved the feat for only the third time in his cricketing career.
On that note, let us take a look at the three times Jasprit Bumrah picked up a wicket off the first ball of the innings.
#1 ENG vs IND 2026 2nd ODI (Sophia Gardens, Cardiff)
Helped by Jasprit Bumrah’s cameo with the bat, a quick-fire 13-ball 20, Team India posted 233 on the board after being put into bat first. The spearhead had the task of ensuring the visitors had a chance of defending the low score, and he got into the act quickly by dismissing opener Ben Duckett for a golden duck to begin the innings.
Jasprit Bumrah bowled a typical delivery from over the wicket, which went away from the left-handed batter with the angle. The southpaw could not resist a poke, and ended up edging it straight to wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan. England were reduced to 0-1 in 0.1 overs to begin their run chase in a rocky fashion.
Jasprit Bumrah ended up being the most economical pacer in the contest with tight figures of 1-45, but England chased down the total in the end to win the match by four wickets and level the series 1-1.
#2 IND vs SL 2023 ODI World Cup (Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai)
The very first time Jasprit Bumrah picked up a wicket in the very first ball of the innings was during the 2023 ODI World Cup league stage match against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Team India were firm favorites in the match after slamming a mighty 357-8, making the task easy for Bumrah and co. to defend the score in the second innings.
Jasprit Bumrah began the proceedings with a stunning delivery that caught Pathum Nissanka all ends up and struck his pads. The umpire raised his finger in a second to adjudge the batter out. Although Sri Lanka took a review, it proved to be in vain as the on-field umpire’s decision stood to confirm Bumrah’s first-ball strike.
The right-arm pacer produced a searing spell, bowling five overs and conceding just eight runs with a wicket and a maiden as well. Sri Lanka never recovered from the first-ball setback to be bundled out for just 55 runs to hand India a record 302-run win.
#3 GT vs MI IPL 2026 (Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad)
Jasprit Bumrah struck off the very first ball of the innings at a time when he most needed it during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season match against the Gujarat Titans (GT). Coming into the clash on the back of five wicketless matches right at the start of the season, the bowler was under considerable pressure.
Amid criticism aimed at Hardik Pandya for bringing Jasprit Bumrah as the first change, and late into the bowling attack, the skipper switched things up in the away clash against GT. Coming into the second innings high on momentum after Tilak Varma’s maiden IPL hundred, Jasprit Bumrah extended it by making a breakthrough with the very first delivery with the new ball.
The ace pacer dismissed the reigning Orange Cap winner Sai Sudharsan for a golden duck to end his dismal streak and kick-start MI’s defence in some style. He ended up bowling a solid spell, conceding only 15 runs off three overs as MI secured a win by 99 runs.
Edited by Gokul Nair
