The Indian Premier League (IPL) started on 18th April 2008. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) played the first-ever IPL match on that historic day at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium (Bengaluru). While RCB decided to bowl first after winning the toss, KKR managed to score the giant first innings total of 222/3 (20 overs). KKR opened Brendon McCullum scored 158 not out off 73 balls (10 fours and 13 sixes).
In reply, RCB were bundled out for just 82 runs (15.1 overs) as KKR won that match by 140 runs. Undoubtedly, McCullum won the Player of the Match award at the end of that match.
Here we are talking about the top-five lesser-known incidents in the first-ever IPL match
KKR captain Sourav Ganguly faced the first delivery in IPL history
It was the match between Sourav Ganguly-led KKR and Rahul Dravid-led RCB. After RCB sent the visitors to bat first, Ganguly faced the first ball of the IPL history. RCB right-arm pacer Praveen Kumar delivered that ball where the opener Ganguly managed to snatch one leg-bye run to open the scoreboard. Centurion Brendon McCullum was the other opener in that innings.
RCB skipper Rahul Dravid also faced the first ball of the second innings of that match while Ashok Dinda delivered the first ball for the Kolkata franchise.