Close to sixty games happen in every season of the Indian Premier League. While it is difficult to remember all of them, each match has its own reference event or a memorable performance by a player. This aspect usually surrounds the recipient of man-of-the-match award of that particular encounter.
In this article, we offer you an interesting throwback. We tell which player bagged the first-ever man-of-the-match trophy for each franchise. Of course, all of them happened in the first season of the competition back in 2008.
Chennai Super Kings – Mike Hussey
Okay, we got a century in the first-ever game of IPL. A hundred in the T20 format was rare then, and McCullum’s knock in itself was a sight to behold. Now, what happens if the very next game also produces a hundred? Well, that happened, and it came about through Aussie legend Mike Hussey. Batting at No.3, Hussey scored 116 runs from just 54 balls. The opposition, KXIP, could not chase it down, and hence, CSK won the game. Therefore, Hussey became the yellow team’s first man of the match.
Delhi Daredevils (Delhi Capitals) – Farveez Mahroof
Farveez Mahroof was a fine cricketer around that time. A specialist pacer, Mahroof often made some noise with his destructive big-hitting skills as well. However, in this particular game, it was the Sri Lankan’s primary skills that furnished him a MOM trophy. In four overs, the tall pacer collected two wickets and gave away just eleven runs. Mahroof’s scalps included RR’s opposition heavyweights – Darren Lehmann and Shane Warne. Delhi chased down the target easily, and Mahroof was the man of the match.
Kings XI Punjab – Kumar Sangakkara
It was just about time before Kumar Sangakkara made his mark in IPL. In the tenth game of season one, the Sri Lankan legend had it taken care that the night was his. Despite the flurry of wickets at the other end, Sanga was sensational with his strokeplay and awareness of the situation. His knock of 94 runs came off 56 balls and included thirteen glorious boundaries and a six. He was the MOM that day.
Kolkata Knight Riders – Brendon McCullum
Well, who can forget that knock. An innings that gave very early momentum to IPL, Brendon McCullum was massive in the first encounter. He made 158 runs from 73 deliveries, a sublime stay at the crease that included ten boundaries and thirteen sixes across the Chinnaswamy Stadium. For as long as IPL stays, this man-of-the-match performance by McCullum can never be forgotten.
Mumbai Indians – Sanath Jayasuriya
Wait, it was not a batting performance that helped Jayasuriya win the MOM award. It was his bowling act, which was a match-winning one. In his spell of four overs, Sanath gave 14 runs and collected three precious wickets. The Sri Lankan all-rounder’s spell also included one maiden over. The player’s victims from the opposition were David Hussey, Mohammad Hafeez, and Ajit Agarkar.
Rajasthan Royals – Shane Watson
Although he was expensive with the ball in that game, Shane Watson made amends with his willow-work in the second innings. With a target of 167 runs on board, RR was 19-2 at one point. Matters became worse when overseas player Kamran Akmal lost his wicket with almost a hundred runs still needed. Here is when Watson came to the fore. He constructed a mature knock of 76 runs and made sure RR went past the line. At the other end, he had to deal with the inexperience of Ravindra Jadeja as well. Guiding him along the way, Watto’s show was superb that night.
Royal Challengers Bangalore – Mark Boucher
This game was Mumbai Indians’ first game in the competition. RCB had suffered a disastrous loss in the first game and were looking for a win. MI posted a decent target of 166 for the boys in red to chase. Most of the batsmen were getting starts, but no one was penetrative enough to apply pressure on the opposition. Then came South African keeper Mark Boucher who was the difference between the sides. In 19 balls, Boucher made 39 runs and helped his side take home the victory.
Deccan Chargers (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – Adam Gilchrist
Another day and it was another century. Yet again, it was by an overseas player. And, for the second time that season, it was an Aussie southpaw who reached the milestone. Deccan Chargers were struggling until then, but not in this game. In his trademark way, Gilly straightaway took the pressure to the bowlers. He scored 109 runs and this knock happened within a span of just 47 balls. The Aussie keeper hit nine boundaries and ten sixes in this performance.
