When we talk about Indian Premier League then you can never forget the very 1st match of the inaugural edition of the tournament. It was Brendon McCullum who set the tournament ablaze with a once in a lifetime knock. It was the first century in the competitor. Over e last 10 years we have seen several centuries being hit by batsmen all over the world.
So with the tournament a week away let us have a look at 5 Most memorable centuries of IPL
Yusuf Pathan- 100 of 37 deliveries for Rajasthan Royals against Mumbai Indians, March 13, 2010
This innings by Yusuf Pathan was described as the best he has seen by none other than the great batsman Sachin Tendulkar. Despite coming in a losing cause, this particular innings will be etched in everyone’s memory whenever you speak about this cash-rich tournament. Chasing a mammoth 213 set by the Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals were reduced to 66/4.
From there on it was Yusuf Pathan who started playing some audacious shots and took the star-studded Mumbai Indians bowling line-up. He looked ruthless and smashed 9 fours and 8 sixes during his exceptional knock of 100 of a mere 37 deliveries. Even their captain Shane Warne described it as one of the greatest he has seen in IPL.
Brendon McCullum- 158* of 73 deliveries for Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bangalore, 18th April 2008
It was a sensational knock from McCullum to set up the tournament perfectly. This was the first match of the tournament, and it was a master class by the hard-hitter which took the popularity of the tournament to a whole new level. He kept depositing the RCB bowlers to different parts of the stadium. All hell broke loose towards the last 3-4 overs as McCullum went mad and smashed the big shots one after the other. His innings contained ten fours and 13 sixes as KKR stormed off to 222/3 in 20 overs.
Courtesy his knock, KKR inflicted a huge victory on RCB,. They only managed to score 83 runs thus handing KKR a victory by 140 runs.
David Miller- 101* of 38 deliveries for the Kings XI Punjab against Royal Challengers Bangalore, 6th May 2013
This innings is regarded as the greatest ever IPL knock while chasing. The southpaw was audacious in his strokeplay and stormed his way to a maiden IPL ton. Batting first Bangalore posted a competitive total of190 runs in 20 overs. Punjab got off to a horrible start and lost their first 4 wickets for just 64 runs in the 10th over.
It looked RCB would coast to a comfortable victory. However, Miller had other ideas in mind. The southpaw in an attempt to get the match closer started smashing the RCB bowlers. Most of them connected and went sailing over the fences for sixes after sixes. Miller’s unbeaten 101 came in a mere 38 deliveries which were studded with eight fours and seven sixes.
Virat Kohli- 108* of 58 deliveries for the Royal Challengers Bangalore against Rising Pune Supergiant, May 7, 2016
This was the India and RCB skipper’s maiden IPL century. Kohli was more satisfied with the knock given the fact it came while chasing a competitive score. Courtesy some sensible batting by Ajinkya Rahane and Saurabh Tiwary, Rising Pune Supergiant posted a more than competitive score of 191 runs in their 20 overs.
Kohli kept his franchise in the game with some wonderful batting. Kohli reached his century with a straight six and ensured RCB reached the target with 3 deliveries to spare. Shane Watson provided the late impetus with a quickfire 13 balls 36 which contained 5 fours and a couple of sixes.
Chris Gayle- 175* of 66 deliveries for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors India, April 23, 2013
The southpaw was in a murderous mood that particular match. There wasn’t a single bowler who was spared as Gayle smashed as many as 17 sixes during his unbeaten knock of 175. Words are not enough to describe Gayle’s power-hitting that day. It was like a repeat ball after ball. Ali Murtaza, a left-arm spinner, in particular, was severely punished by Gayle.
The big man from the Caribbean eventually remained unbeaten on 175 of 66 deliveries which included several hits over the fence.
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