# Arshdeep Singh Blasts First Ball Six at Number Eleven to Enter Rare Elite List in Mount Maunganui

> During the final ODI against New Zealand, Arshdeep Singh struck a six off his very first delivery at number eleven, joining Jasprit Bumrah and Venkatesh Prasad in an exclusive club.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-11-15 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/mount-maunganui-men-arshdeep-singh-ka-dhamakedara-pradarshana-nnbara-gyaraha-para-pahali-genda-para-chhakka-lagakara-banaya-khasa--60084 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Arshdeep Singh, India vs New Zealand, ODI Cricket, Jasprit Bumrah, Venkatesh Prasad, Mohammed Shami, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

During the fifth and final match of the five-game ODI series between India and New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, tailender Arshdeep Singh produced an electrifying cameo that added cheer to an otherwise grim batting display. After losing the toss and being put in to bat first, the Indian batting order suffered a widespread collapse, ultimately being bowled out for 209 runs in 42.1 overs. None of the mainstream Indian top order batters managed to register a half-century on the day. With India reeling at 183 for 9, Arshdeep Singh walked out to the crease at number eleven and delivered an immediate counterpunch by launching his very first ball over the boundary ropes.

## Joining an exclusive club of first ball six hitters
Facing New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy on his very first delivery, Arshdeep swung cleanly and deposited the ball into the stands for a maximum. With that audacious strike, Arshdeep became only the third Indian cricketer in the entire history of one-day internationals to smash a six off the very first ball faced while batting in the number eleven position.

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The first Indian to achieve this rare feat was former speedster Venkatesh Prasad back in the year 2000. During the Champions Trophy quarter-final encounter against Australia in Nairobi, Prasad dispatched bowler Ian Harvey for a six off his first delivery. Nineteen years later, in 2019, Jasprit Bumrah repeated the feat at Mohali against Australia when he hooked world-class seamer Pat Cummins over the ropes on his opening ball. In 2026, Arshdeep Singh inscribed his name right alongside those two premier Indian fast bowlers.

## Indians with a first ball six at number eleven in ODIs
- **Venkatesh Prasad:** Against Australia in Nairobi during the 2000 Champions Trophy quarter-final, hitting Ian Harvey.
- **Jasprit Bumrah:** Against Australia in Mohali during the 2019 bilateral series, clearing Pat Cummins.
- **Arshdeep Singh:** Against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui during the fifth ODI in 2026, lofting Jacob Duffy.

## Matching the six-hitting record of Mohammed Shami and Venkatesh Prasad
Arshdeep did not stop at his opening blow. His whirlwind cameo at the Bay Oval lasted just 4 deliveries, but he managed to score a quickfire 14 runs before India's innings concluded. That short knock featured a total of two towering sixes. By striking twice over the fence from the final batting slot, Arshdeep equalled the Indian national record for the most sixes hit by a number eleven batter in a single ODI innings.

Prior to Arshdeep, only two Indian players had ever smashed two sixes in an innings from the number eleven spot. Venkatesh Prasad achieved it first in 1996 during a match against Pakistan held in Toronto. Eighteen years later, in 2014, Mohammed Shami replicated that batting exploit against Sri Lanka at Fatullah. Arshdeep has now tied both bowling predecessors, completing an eventful finish to India's innings.

## What this means for you
A counterattacking blitz from the final batting position provides tactical takeaways for followers of international cricket.

- **For cricket fans:** When a batting collapse leaves the main order humbled, spirited tailend hitting delivers excitement and entertainment. Indian supporters found a rare bright moment in an otherwise difficult team performance.
- **For team balance:** Modern white ball cricket demands late order runs to inflate team totals beyond par. Rapid contributions from bowlers in the final overs can alter match dynamics and disrupt opposition death bowling plans.
- **For player confidence:** An aggressive cameo of this nature bolsters Arshdeep Singh's standing as an effective lower order contributor. It shows management that the tail possesses genuine hitting capability in crunch situations.
- **For cricket statisticians:** Matching milestones previously set by Venkatesh Prasad and Jasprit Bumrah cements Arshdeep's entry into cricket history books. It provides analysts with notable data on rare tailender achievements.

## Why this happened
A severe collapse by the Indian batting lineup forced the lower order to adopt a carefree, boundary-seeking approach to push the match total past 200.

- **Top order failure:** Indian top order batters failed to establish partnerships or compile half-centuries, leaving the side exposed at 183 for 9. With wickets virtually exhausted, the remaining tailender had clear license to hit out without reservation.
- **Aggressive intent at number eleven:** Number eleven batters routinely opt for boundary attempts rather than defensive survival when batting with limited partners. Arshdeep executed this approach immediately by swinging at Jacob Duffy's opening delivery.
- **Historical precedent:** Indian fast bowlers such as Venkatesh Prasad and Jasprit Bumrah have previously stepped up in similar situations to land quick blows. Arshdeep repeated that fearless philosophy to collect rapid runs for his team.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Against which team did Arshdeep Singh accomplish this milestone?
Arshdeep achieved this milestone against New Zealand in the fifth ODI played at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

### 2. Which bowler conceded the first-ball six to Arshdeep Singh?
Arshdeep launched his opening delivery for a six off New Zealand bowler Jacob Duffy.

### 3. Who are the other two Indian players to hit a first-ball six at number eleven in ODIs?
The other two Indian players are Venkatesh Prasad (in 2000 against Australia) and Jasprit Bumrah (in 2019 against Australia).

### 4. How many runs did Arshdeep Singh score in the innings?
Arshdeep scored 14 runs off just 4 deliveries, hitting 2 sixes.

### 5. Whose record of hitting two sixes at number eleven did Arshdeep match?
He matched the record held by Venkatesh Prasad (1996 vs Pakistan) and Mohammed Shami (2014 vs Sri Lanka).

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