Mitchell Starc endured the most expensive first over of his T20 career on May 11, as Punjab Kings openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh launched a blistering start against Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala. Delhi won the toss and chose to bowl first, but Starc's opening spell quickly turned into a problem, with the over finishing at 22 runs.
Arya set the tone by lifting the first ball over cover point for six, and Starc could never regain control. He bowled two dot balls, but also sent down five wides, while Prabhsimran added a six and a boundary as Punjab charged through the first over. It was a sharp fall for a bowler known for his new-ball threat across formats, and for Starc it topped a previous best of 15 runs conceded in an opening over, set for Kolkata Knight Riders against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024. He had also given up 14-run opening overs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Punjab Kings in 2015, and for Australia against New Zealand and West Indies in 2022.
The damage carried extra weight because Punjab's openers have been one of the most aggressive pairs in IPL 2026, scoring more than 14 runs per over together in the powerplay this season. Starc joined Delhi late in the campaign and had taken three wickets in his first three matches, so this was not a bowler arriving short on rhythm. But Delhi were already under pressure to stay in the playoff race, and a 22-run opening over in Dharamsala made the margin for error even smaller.
For Delhi, the issue was not just one bad over. It was the contrast between what Starc usually offers with the new ball and what Punjab managed against him at the exact moment the Capitals needed control. With the playoff race tightening, they can ill afford more overs like this one.
