First floppers

Taking a wicket off the first-ball of the innings is becoming a habit in the ongoing sixth edition of the Pepsi Indian Premier League. Yesterday, when Kolkata Knight Riders' Manvinder Bisla edged Praveen Kumar's first ball of the second innings to Azhar Mahmood at first slip, it was the fifth instance of a first-ball-dismissal in 20 matches. Chasing Punjab's 158, Bisla poked at a wide delivery from Kumar and the edge flew straight to Mahmood at first slip. The Pakistani all-rounder failed to hold on to the ball but an alert wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist made no mistake and grabbed it as soon as it popped out of Mahmood's hands.u00a0

MI's Mitchell Johnson celebrates the wicket of Aaron Finch at Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. Pic/Atul Kamble

Here's how the other four first-ball-dismissals in IPL-VI unfolded.

April 3: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Daredevils
Unmukt Chand: bowled Brett Leeu00a0The cash-rich league could not have asked for a better start. A lethal outswinger - the very first ball of the tournament - fired in by Brett Lee cleaned up Unmukt Chand with his off stump blown away.

April 9: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Daredevils
Unmukt Chand: caught Ponting bowled Harbhajan
The Delhi opener registered his second golden duck of the season largely due to an awe-inspiring catch from MI skipper Ricky Ponting. Chand tried to play the ball on the on-side but got a leading edge and Ponting threw himself towards his right at extra-cover to pluck a gem.

April 11: Rajasthan Royals vs Pune Warriors India
Kusal Perera: LBW Bhuvaneshwar Kumar
It was the worst possible start for Rajasthan Royals as Kusal Perera was trapped in front of the wicket by Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. The ball swung in late and the Sri Lankan was caught on the crease.

April 13: Mumbai Indians vs Pune Warriors India
Aaron Finch: bowled Mitchell Johnson
Chasing a formidable total of 183, the last thing Pune Warriors needed was a wicket to start off the innings. But an inswinging delivery from Mitchell Johnson stunned his Australian counterpart and Finch's furniture was disrupted.u00a0