After the magnificent success of the T20 Wolrd Cup 2007 in South Africa, Indian cricket board took a revolutionary step as it created a new monster called the ‘Indian Premier League’. The domestic cricket league was divided among the franchises and featured players auction for the first time. Everyone was anxious as to how the league will take shape and it all depended on how the first match went ahead. The result was blinding and it was McCullum who breathed the tournament alive.
The first match of the IPL was set at the scenic ground of Bangalore, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Royal Challengers Bangalore the home team was all set to host the Kolkata Knight Riders team owned by the king of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan. It was the perfect marriage of India’s two passions – Cricket and Cinema. On the first night, it was Cricket that dominated.
After the glazing opening ceremony, Rahul Dravid, RCB captain won the toss and chose to bat first. KKR had opened with the combination of Brendon McCullum and Saurav Ganguly. Pravin Kumar, the medium-pace swing bowler bowled the first ball of the IPL to Saurav Ganguly.
The first over was surprisingly quiet. McCullum played out five dot balls. He made up for the start as he smashed 18 runs in the next over of Zaheer Khan. In the fourth over then, he added further 23 runs in the Ashley Noffke over. After this assault, McCullum kept collecting regular boundaries to storm the score ahead.
On the third ball of the 15th over, Brendon McCullum etched his name in the history by scoring the first-ever century in the IPL. The feat has been brought up at least a million times till now and by far, it is the most memorable knock ever played. The number 158 instantly reminds everyone of that knock.
KKR notched up 222/3 in their 20 overs. The total was too much for the Bangalore team which was to end in the bottom of the IPL table soon. RCB got all out for only 82, giving a huge win of 140 runs. The IPL had well and truly begun. The festival is still going strong.
Brief Scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 222 for 3 (McCullum 158*) beat Bangalore Royal Challengers 82 (Agarkar 3-25) by 140 runs.
