The inaugural IPL season kicked off with a bang, with Brendon McCullum, the swashbuckling New Zealand opener, taking Zaheer Khan to task.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is home to lofty sixes. But most big knocks start with a crucial boundary first. This article takes a nostalgic look at the bowlers who conceded the opening fours in each IPL season from 2008 to 2016, along with the batsmen who got them rolling.
The inaugural IPL season kicked off with a bang, and Brendon McCullum, the swashbuckling New Zealand opener, wasted no time in making his mark. Facing the fiery pace of Zaheer Khan for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), McCullum launched a brutal assault, with the first boundary off Khan’s bowling setting the tone for a high-scoring match.
The 2009 season saw Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya remind everyone of his power-hitting prowess. Up against Thilan Thushara, Jayasuriya started his innings with a bang, dispatching the first ball to the boundary and setting the stage for a dominant performance.
Zaheer Khan was hit for the first boundary of IPL history
Cheteshwar Pujara, known for his classical technique, surprised everyone in the 2010 season by getting off the mark with a boundary. RP Singh, bowling for the Deccan Chargers (DC), found Pujara’s outside edge with the first delivery, giving the batsman an early confidence boost.
Murali Vijay, known for his solid batting, announced his intentions early in the 2011 season. Facing Iqbal Abdulla of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Vijay dispatched the first ball to the boundary, showcasing his aggressive intent from the very beginning.
Murali Vijay seems to have a knack for hitting the first boundary of the season. In the 2012 edition, facing Abu Nechim of the Kochi Tuskers Kerala (KTK), Vijay repeated the feat, starting his innings with a confident four.
The experienced Brett Lee found himself on the receiving end of a powerful stroke in the 2013 season. Sri Lankan maestro Mahela Jayawardene, playing for the Delhi Daredevils (DD), welcomed Lee with a boundary off the first ball, showcasing his class and elegance.
The 2014 season saw a young Manish Pandey announce his arrival on the big stage. Facing Corey Anderson of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Pandey smashed the first ball for a four, displaying his fearless batting style.
The explosive Aaron Finch wasted no time in getting his innings going in the 2015 season. Facing the tall Morne Morkel of the Delhi Daredevils (DD), Finch launched a mighty blow, sending the first ball to the boundary and setting the tone for a potentially high-scoring encounter.
RP Singh found himself featuring on this list again, but not in the most desirable way. In the 2016 season, Rohit Sharma, the prolific Mumbai Indians (MI) opener, welcomed Singh with a commanding four off the first ball, showcasing his ability to dominate from the very beginning.
This list provides a trip down memory lane, reminding us of some of the IPL’s most iconic opening encounters. It also highlights the diverse range of players who have had the privilege of hitting the first boundary of their respective seasons. As the IPL continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see who gets to etch their name in this unique record book in the seasons to come.
