Mayank Yadav wrote a rare record with the first wicket in the IND vs ZIM Harare T20I
Mayank Yadav (Image credit: BCCI) NEW DELHI: India quick Mayank Yadav on Thursday added another milestone to his growing reputation when he dismissed Zimbabwean opener Brian Bennett with the first ball of the opening T20I in Harare to join the elite list of Indian bowlers.The express pacer became only the third Indian bowler to take a wicket with the first ball of a T20I match, emulating Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya. Arshdeep achieved the feat against Shayan Jahangir of the USA during the T20 World Cup in Nassau 2024, while Hardik removed Pakistan opener Saim Ayub with the opening delivery of the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai.It was also the second time Mayank had bowled the opening ball of a T20I innings, having previously dismissed Bangladesh opener Parvez Hossain Emon in Hyderabad during India’s home series in October 2024.
The review confirms a dream start for India
Mayank wasted no time in impressing after Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first.Charging at 149km/h, the right-arm speedster delivered the ball at the back of a length just outside the off-stump, which chipped away late on. Rooted in the crease, Brian Bennett was able to narrowly beat keeper Ishan Kishan.Although the on-field umpire dismissed India’s appeal, Kishan was convinced he had heard something and immediately urged Iyer to review the decision. UltraEdge confirmed a clear top as the ball went through the bat, overturning the original verdict and sending Bennett back for a golden duck after facing just one delivery.First ball of a T20I bowled by an Indian bowler
- Shayan Jahangir (USA) – Arshdeep Singh, Nassau, T20 World Cup 2024
- Saim Ayub (PAK) – Hardik Pandya, Dubai, Asia Cup 2025
- Brian Bennett (ZIM) – Mayank Yadav, Harare, 2026
The wicket gave India the perfect start and highlighted Mayank’s ability to trouble the batsmen with his pace and movement right from the start.With the dismissal, Mayank also joined the exclusive group of Indian bowlers with multiple first wickets in T20Is. Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads the list with three such dismissals, while Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh and Mayank now have two each. Ravichandran Ashwin is the only other Indian to do so once.India bowlers with wickets from the first ball of the T20I innings
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (three times)
- Hardik Pandya (twice)
- Arshdeep Singh (twice)
- Mayank Yadav (twice)
- Ravichandran Ashwin (once)
Earlier, India named teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the playing XI while Rajasthan pacer Ashok Sharma made his international debut. In another first, India also announced designated concussion replacements for specific roles ahead of the match, with Suryansh Shedge, Prabhsimran Singh, Harsh Dubey and Yash Thakur covering batting, wicket, spin and pace.Zimbabwe were forced into a pre-match change after Milton Shumba was ruled out of the series with a right hamstring injury, replaced by Innocent Kaia.However, Mayank ensured that Zimbabwe’s innings started in the worst possible way and gave India a dream start with a record first-ball breakthrough.
Which bowler do you think has been most impressive for India in T20Is?
More than 3,000 users shared the opinion today
More than 5,000 users have already voted today
More than 3,000 users shared the opinion today
Share an opinion