The first-ever XI of Kolkata Knight Riders: Where are they now?
Bredon McCullum set the stage on fire in the inaugural match of IPL 2008 (Source: Twitter)
We are just a week away from the beginning of the 16th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL 2023). In the last fifteen seasons, IPL had seven different champions. Out of these only three franchises have managed to win the title more than once. One of these three franchises is Kolkata Knight Riders, with two titles under their belt in 2012 and 2014.
For More Such Reads from OneCricket, Click Here.
But things were not these smooth for the franchise from the inception of the tournament. In the inaugural edition of the tournament, KKR finished sixth in the points table having six wins under their belt from 14 matches.
But we can credit IPL being a hit to KKR, because of the knock Brendon McCullum played in the opening match. So, let us turn the clock to 2008 and take a look at eleven that played for KKR in their first ever IPL match.
Kolkata Knight Riders' First Ever XI
The first ever XI of KKR (Source: OneCricket)
Now let us look at these players and their profiles now.
1.Sourav Ganguly: The Indian legend was leading the Kolkata Knight Riders in this match. He scored 10 runs off 12 deliveries in the match.
Sourav Ganguly lead the first ever XI of the Kolkata Knight Riders (Source: Twitter)
Sourav Ganguly later went to be a part of the Pune Warriors India team. He played in IPL for the last time in 2012. Sourav Ganguly will always be remembered as arguably the best captain the India has ever had. After his retirement from cricket in 2012, he moved on to administration.
Ganguly served as the president of CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal) and then also sat at the helm of BCCI from 2019 to 2022. He can currently be seen as the mentor of the Delhi Capitals franchise.
2. Brendon McCullum: The Kiwi star was the reason IPL became an immediate hit. He amassed 158 not out runs of 73 deliveries and displayed what T20 is going to be all about. It was because of McCullum that KKR was able to put a huge total of 222 runs on the board and then win the match by 140 runs.
Brendon McCullum set the opening night of IPL on fire with his brilliant batting display (Source: Twitter)
McCullum later on became a part of the Gujarat Lions, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings. After retiring from cricket, McCullum took on coaching assignments and can currently be seen as the Test coach of England. He has revolutionised the way Test cricket has been played by infusing his style of play in the English cricket team.
3. Ricky Ponting: Arguably the greatest number three that world of cricket has ever seen, Ricky Ponting was a part of the KKR first ever XI. He scored 20 runs off 20 deliveries in the match before being dismissed by Jacques Kallis.
Ricky Ponting batted at number three for KKR in their first ever IPL match (Source: Twitter)
Ricky Pointing is remembered as the most successful captain in men's cricket with five ICC trophies under his belt. He later moved on to commentary and also took up coaching assignments. Ponting is currently serving as the head-coach of Delhi Capitals.
4. David Hussey: The Australian middle-order batter was a part of this KKR unit. He batted at number four and scored 12 runs off 12 deliveries.
David Hussey was the number four batter for KKR in their first ever IPL XI (Source: Twitter)
Hussey was later on a part of Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings set up. After retiring from cricket, Hussey was seen commentating in different coverages. He also become a part of the KKR coaching set up for a brief stint.
5. Mohammad Hafeez: The Pakistani all-rounder was the number five batter for KKR in this match. He scored 5 runs off 3 balls in the match.
Mohammad Hafeez batted at number five for KKR in this match (Source: Twitter)
Hafeez played only one season in the IPL, as after the inaugural edition Pakistani players were banned from taking part in the league. Hafeez was recently seen playing for Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2023.
6. Laxmiratan Shukla: The Indian all-rounder was a part of this team and was slotted to bat in the lower middle-order. He bowled 1.1 overs in the match, conceding 12 runs in them and picked up the last Bangalore wicket in the form of Sunil Joshi.
Laxmi Shukla was a part of the first ever KKR XI in IPL (Source: Twitter)
Shukla was a part of KKR for five years and later on went onto represent Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Shukla was a legend in the domestic circuit and served Bengal cricket for about 17 years. After hanging up his boots he joined politics and also became the state youth and sports minister in 2016. However, he stepped down from the post on 5th January, 2021.
7. Wriddiman Saha: The Indian wicketkeeper was an active part of the team in this season. He did not get a chance to bat in the match.
Wriddhiman Saha was the first wicketkeeper of KKR (Source: Twitter)
Saha later went on to represent Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. He played a memorable knock in the final of IPL 2014 playing for KXIP against the Knight Riders. This year Saha will be a part of the Gujarat Titans team.
8. Ajit Agarkar: The Indian all-rounder was slotted in as a leading pacer and a lower-order batter in the team. Ajit Agarkar did not bat in the match, but with the ball he bowled four overs and picked up three wickets in them conceding just 25 runs.
Ajit Agarkar was a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders first ever XI in IPL (Source: Twitter)
Ajit Agarkar donned the Indian colours from 1998 to 2007. He was an effective bowler will probably be remembered for his memorable knock at The Lord's where he scored a Test century against England. Agarkar was later a part of the Delhi Capitals where he played from 2011 to 2013. Agarkar can now be seen as a Hindi commentator with a private sports channel.
9. Ashok Dinda: The Indian pacer was bowled three overs in the match and conceded just nine runs while picking up two wickets. One of the two wickets for Dinda was that of a then newbie, Virat Kohli.
Ashok Dinda was a part of the first ever KKR XI in IPL (Source: Twitter)
Dinda later on also represented Pune Warriors India, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Rising Pune Super Giants. He had been the backbone of the Bengal bowling line up for long before retiring from all forms of cricket in 2021. Dinda also featured in a few matches for the Indian team.
He moved on to politics and is also a member of the legislative assembly at present. Dinda was also seen playing for the India Maharajas in the Legends League 2023.
10. Murali Kartik: The Indian left-arm spinner did not get to bowl in the match. After KKR, Murali Kartik played for Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Pune Warriors India.
Murali Kartik was the leading spinner in the first ever XI of KKR (Source: Twitter)
He also played for India in Tests as well as ODIs. Kartik played his last IPL game in 2014 and after his retirement can now be seen as a commentator in different private channels.
11. Ishant Sharma: The tall Indian pacer was one of the leading pacers for KKR in this match. Ishant Sharma bowled three overs in this match and picked up one wicket while conceding seven runs.
Ishant Sharma was a part of the KKR first ever XI (Source: Twitter)
Ishant Sharma has been an integral part of the Indian Test set up for many years. This year he is a part of the Delhi Capitals squad.
 "Probuddha Bhattacharjee")
