Karnataka born Indian wicket keeper and the current LSG captain KL Rahul was playing school group cricket as Brendon McCullum batting for KKR in the opening match of 2008 of inaugural IPL edition slammed record 158 , a knock which made this 17 year old league start on a bang. The gravity of 158 by McCullum was such hat T20 cricket started reaching new heights giving inspirations to youngsters like KL Rahul to equip their batting style to the new format of cricket ie : T20 cricket.
KL Rahul playing age group cricket for Karnataka was one of the few attendees who got mesmerized by this Brendon McCullum maniac during the times where only a single WT20 had take place back in 2007.
Brendon McCullum’s 158 sets the tone for a cash rich cricket league for the future.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has completed its 16 years today and in its 17th season, the teams have made a blistering start, and some o them are seeming like distant runner for the playoffs spot, and for few, the dream already seems over. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are at the bottom of the table with only a solitary win to their name and 6 defeats, whereas, it is the vice versa for Rajasthan Royals in the points table, as they have 6 wins and a solitary loss in their 7 IPL 2024 outings so far.
However, the date is April 18 and it marks exactly 16 years, when IPL was introduced to cricketing fans and the first ever fixture of the iconic league was between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The fixture became the benchmark for the batters as Brendon McCullum unleashed his wrath on the RCB bowlers and KKR managed to register 222/3 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
In reply, a dismal RCB side couldn’t manage to reach triple figures as a three-wicket haul from Ajit Agarkar, alongside pair of wickets from Ashok Dinda and captain Sourav Ganguly bundled out the side for 82 runs, and KKR, therefore, recorded a mighty 140-run victory over the home side.
Brendon McCullum is arguably amongst the most dangerous batters to have ever graced the 22-yard pitch of cricket, and is arguably, the greatest fielder ever witnessed. The Kiwi legend is a true icon of the sport and has fared out well in the IPL as well. In his 109 matches as an IPL player, the 42-year old has represented Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Kochi Tuskers Kerela, Gujarat Lions, and Royal Challengers Bangalore, and has amassed 2880 runs at an average of 27.69 and a strike rate of 131.75, alongside two massive tons.
Even in the 17th year of IPL, the innings of 158 played by Brendon McCullum back in 2008 inspired the then young talents like KL Rahul to take T20I cricket to new levels and change their batting techniques to adapt to this format of the game.
KL Rahul reveals that seeing Brendon McCullum hitting a sensational 158 in the inaugural match of IPL 2008 changed his mindset about T20 cricket
KL Rahul was playing age-group cricket for Karnataka when the inaugural edition of the IPL was played back in 2008. The first game saw the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium and Rahul was in attendance alongside his fellow state cricketers.
Former New Zealand star Brendon McCullum smashed 158* off just 73 balls as KKR posted a mammoth 222/3, giving IPL just the rollicking start it needed. Rahul accepted that while his focus at that point was on red-ball cricket, McCullum’s knock inspired him to add power-hitting ability to his game.
Speaking to Ravichandran Ashwin in a video on the off-spinner’s YouTube channel, here’s what KL Rahul had to say about his experience watching McCullum’s carnage
“Watching the IPL and watching Brendon McCullum, something changed in my head. The very next day I started secretly trying to hit sixes and get my range of shots a bit more than the Test format. It made a huge difference and I will always remember that. I exactly know which stand I was sitting in.”
KL Rahul has gone on to play all three formats for India and has also been one of the star Indian players in the IPL over the past few years.
KL Rahul on his move to LSG
After captaining the Punjab Kings for a couple of seasons, KL Rahul expressed his desire to go to the Lucknow Super Giants as their skipper. While KL Rahul was already a captain at Punjab, he explained why the prospect of leading a new franchise excited him. He stated (22:05):
“When the two new teams came in and I had an opportunity to go there, that’s what excited me. To start a franchise from scratch. To create my own team, my own culture. It has been fun and hopefully I can finish there.”
After reaching the Eliminator in their first two seasons, LSG are currently placed fifth in the IPL 2024 points table with three wins from six games and would look to go further in this season of IPL 2024.
KL Rahul will be looking to set the stage alight this season as well in order to stake a claim for a spot in the Indian squad for the World Cup. Once considered a certainty for the tournament, Rahul is now battling with several others to ensure he is on the flight to USA in a couple of months.