Deepak Chahar’s Difficult Start in IPL 2026: A Record Unwantedly Claimed
The IPL 2026 season has already delivered its share of dramatic moments, and unfortunately for Mumbai Indians’ bowler Deepak Chahar, he found himself at the centre of an unwanted record during their clash against Punjab Kings on Thursday, April 16th. Opening the bowling attack, Chahar conceded a staggering 21 runs in the very first over, setting a concerning tone for the innings.
A Barrage of Boundaries
Prabhsimran Singh kicked off the onslaught with two well-timed fours, immediately putting pressure on the experienced bowler. The onslaught continued as Priyansh Arya followed up with a six and another four, contributing to the expensive over. This performance unfortunately landed Chahar in the IPL record books, but not in a way he would have hoped.
An Unfortunate First: Multiple 20+ Run First Overs
By conceding 21 runs in the opening over of Punjab Kings’ 196-run chase at the Wankhede Stadium, Chahar became the first bowler in IPL history to concede 20 or more runs in the first over of an innings on multiple occasions. This isn’t an isolated incident for Chahar this season. Earlier in IPL 2026, he also endured a difficult first over against Rajasthan Royals on April 7th in Guwahati, where he gave away 22 runs – all scored by Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Context within IPL History
While Chahar’s recent performances are concerning, it’s important to put them into context. The record for the most runs conceded in the first over of an IPL match remains with Nitish Rana, who was taken for 26 runs by Jaiswal during a RR vs KKR clash in IPL 2023. More recently, David Payne of Sunrisers Hyderabad also faced a tough start, conceding 25 runs in the first over against Kolkata Knight Riders in the current IPL 2026 season.
Staying Updated with IPL 2026
The IPL 2026 season is proving to be full of surprises and intense competition. For the latest updates, be sure to check the IPL Schedule, monitor the IPL Points Table, and keep track of the IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple Cap leaders. You can find comprehensive coverage on News18.
(Source: News18)
