The first ever IPL game was played on the 18th April 2008 at Bengaluru between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Not even a single soul had an idea that the IPL would become so big 14 years down the road. On IPL's 14th anniversary, we will check out the top 5 clashes between the sides that faced off each other in the inaugural game of the IPL.
1. 18th April 2008 – The Mccullum Show:
The opening game begin with RCB winning the toss and hence sending KKR to bat first. Opening with his then skipper Sourav Ganguly, McCullum took his time to settle without scoring anything in his 1st six deliveries but once he struck a boundary off Zaheer Khan’s second delivery, there was no looking back. He completed his century in just 53 balls and took KKR to 222/3 with his unimaginable 158 runs off 73 balls.
The RCB succumbed to the pressure of chasing a hefty total and got bowled out for just a paltry 82 thereby handing KKR a massive victory by 140 runs.
2. 23rd April 2017 – Lowest Total in IPL History:
Once again, RCB won the toss and sent KKR to bat first in Eden Gardens. Narine gave a flying start by scoring 34 at a strike rate of 200 but after his departure, KKR had a disappointing outing with the bat as they were bowled out for a mere 131.
Chasing a relatively easy target of 132, RCB had one horror of a night as they got all out for the lowest total in IPL History – 49. None of their batsmen could touch the double-figure mark. Nathan Coulter-Nile won the Man of the Match award for his figures of 3/21.
3. 7th May 2017 – The Unstoppable Narine:
RCB who were playing at home this time, wore the green jersey for this match. RCB were sent to bat first after KKR won the toss. Half-Centuries from Mandeep Singh and Travis Head helped them put a decent score of 158 (Yes, the same score that McCullum scored against them in the opening match)
KKR had a flying start with Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine attacking from both the ends as they scored 105 runs within the powerplay itself. Narine, in particular, was unstoppable as he registered the then fastest fifty in IPL in just 15 balls. KKR won the match by 6 wickets and with 29 balls to spare. Narine was the Man of the Match.
4. 5th May 2019 – The Russell Muscle:
Playing at Chinnaswamy, KKR chose to field first. RCB were able to post a 200+ total with half-centuries from Kohli-De Villiers pair during their 56-ball 108 run partnership. Stoinis’ cameo of 28 runs off 13 balls ensured that RCB would reach 205.
KKR in response, had a great start but crumbled in between just to find themselves in a situation where they needed 53 runs in the last 3 overs with 2 new batsmen on crease – Russell and Gill. Russell didn't take any time to settle as he smashed an unbeaten 48 in just 13 balls as KKR won with 5 balls to spare.
5. 21st October 2020 – Mohammed Siraj, the Unplayable:
Yes, it's the story of RCB's domination this time around. This match was played at the neutral venue of Abu Dhabi. KKR decided to bat first after winning the toss. After starting Morris’ first over with just 3 runs without any loss, KKR couldnt find any answer to Siraj’s bowling as 3 wickets came in his first 2 overs without conceding even a single run. KKR could never recover from this setback. Though, Morgan’s 30 and a late hitting by Ferguson, ensured they successfully crossed 49, the lowest total in IPL history to finish at 84/8.
RCB had no problems in chasing this target as they chased it in 13.3 overs and won the game by 8 wickets.
Which one did you love the most ??? Do let us know through comments.
