The Indian Premier League has become the number one domestic T20 cricket league on the planet. Stars from all over the world dream to earn an IPL contract. There are two main reasons behind IPL’s popularity. First is the high-quality playing level which allows the players to test their skills against the best in the world.
The second reason is that if a player has extraordinary skills, he can make enormous money from this league. Pat Cummins is the best example of this case. The Kolkata Knight Riders will pay him 31 Crores for donning the purple and gold jersey in IPL 2020 and 2021. Thus, IPL has beaten the other leagues in monetary and quality of cricket aspects.
As mentioned ahead, players from various countries participate in the IPL. Here’s a look at the first player from each nation to score an IPL century.
7. New Zealand – Brendon McCullum
Brendon McCullum has retired from cricket now. He is the coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders team. However, 13 years ago, McCullum was an opening batsman for Kolkata.
In the first match of IPL, McCullum destroyed the Royal Challengers Bangalore bowling lineup by scoring 158 runs at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. He became the first batsman to touch the triple figures in IPL.
6. Australia – Michael Hussey
Michael Hussey and Brendon McCullum are the only players in IPL history who scored a century on IPL debut. Michael achieved this feat in the second fixture of IPL 2008.
Hussey donned the Chennai Super Kings jersey and scored 116* off 54 deliveries against the Kings XI Punjab. Thus, Hussey became the first Aussie batsman to record an IPL century.
5. Sri Lanka – Sanath Jayasuriya
Many legendary Sri Lankan batsmen like TM Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Sanath Jayasuriya have featured in the IPL. Among them, Sanath was the first centurion.
Jayasuriya played his first IPL season for the Mumbai Indians. He played his IPL career’s best knock against the Chennai Super Kings, scoring a 48-ball 114* to help Mumbai win at the Wankhede Stadium.
4. South Africa – AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers has gained much popularity among the Indian cricket fans because of his exploits in the IPL. The South African star has been a cornerstone of the Royal Challengers Bangalore team.
However, before de Villiers joined RCB, he played for the Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils). AB de Villiers scored an IPL ton against the Chennai Super Kings at Kingsmead in IPL 2009. He aggregated 105 runs off 54 balls.
3. India – Manish Pandey
The BCCI launched the IPL with the goal of giving the uncapped players a platform to showcase their skills. Many legendary Indian batsman played in the first two IPL seasons.
But, no Indian batsman could score a hundred before Manish Pandey. The 2008 U-19 World Cup-winning squad member scored a 73-ball 114* for RCB against the Deccan Chargers in Centurion.
2. West Indies – Chris Gayle
Like AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle is another cricketer who has become very popular because of his performances in T20 cricket. Many fans call him the ‘Universe Boss’ for his incredible record in this format.
Gayle became the first Caribbean player to score a hundred in the IPL. He accomplished this feat in April 2011, slamming a 55-ball 102* for RCB against his former team Kolkata Knight Riders.
1. England – Kevin Pietersen
Not many cricketers from England participated in the initial IPL seasons. However, Kevin Pietersen regularly played in the tournament.
Pietersen was the first Englishman who recorded a triple figure score in an IPL match. The right-handed batsman scored an unbeaten 103* against the Deccan Chargers to help the Delhi-based franchise win the game.
