IPL: Tournament openers across all seasons

When the Indian Premier League (IPL) started in 2008, it was a leap into the unknown. There were players from all across the globe participating. It was a league which was built on the success of the inaugural World T20. And 10 years down the line, it is one of the best T20 leagues in the world. Former cricketers may criticise it a bit, but players participating have rated it very highly.

In a two-month-long tournament like the IPL, it is important to start well. The tournament opener (opening game) usually sets up the season and the IPL was off to a flying start with Brendon McCullum lighting up the very first game in the history of the league. Thus, let’s look back at all the opening games of each IPL. 

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2008 - RCB vs KKR, Bangalore

McCullum's 158 was the perfect start for the IPL.

This is the game that set the IPL on fire and it was a perfect start to what was a step into the unknown. After a grand opening ceremony in Bangalore, RCB won the toss and opted to field first.

The first over of the IPL was bowled by Praveen Kumar and it was a sedate start as 3 runs came off that over and no runs were scored off the bat. But what followed was absolute carnage. Zaheer Khan bowled the second over and was smashed for 3 fours and a six by Brendon McCullum. That was the start of a brutal knock. The Kiwi wicket-keeper batsman spared no bowler. The ball was flying to all corners of the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

And when KKR’s innings came to a close, McCullum had scored a stunning 158 in just 73 balls. His knock included 10 fours and 13 sixes. KKR scored 222 and the next best score after 158 was just 20 by Ricky Ponting.

Chasing a huge target, RCB were never in the chase. In fact, only one batsman (Praveen) Kumar got into double figures as the Bangalore franchise slumped to a big defeat. They were bowled out for 82 as Ajit Agarkar took 3 wickets while Sourav Ganguly and Ashok Dinda took 2 wickets apiece.

Brief Scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 222 for 3 (McCullum 158*, Zaheer 1/38) beat Bangalore Royal Challengers 82 (Praveen Kumar 15, Agarkar 3-25, Dinda 2/9) 

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