The first-ever match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was played in 2008 between Royals Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Now, the 17th edition of the IPL is currently underway off and a few cricketers who played in the inaugural match of the cash-rich tournament are still going from strength to strength. There are only three players who are still playing in the IPL 2024 from the 22 who played in the first-ever IPL match.
Here's the list of 3 players from the first match of IPL who are still playing in 2024.
Virat Kohli
Former Indian captain Virat Kohli is the only player who has played for one team in all seasons as he has been with RCB since 2008. The stylish batter and the former skipper of the RCB, Kohli has played 242 matches so far and scored 7,579 runs at a strike rate of 130.63. Kohli has registered eight centuries and 52 half-centuries.
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Ishant Sharma
Ishant Sharma was part of KKR's playing XI during the first-ever IPL match. The lanky pacer has represented Kolkata Knight Riders, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rising Pune Supergiant, Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in his IPL career thus far. Currently, Ishant is representing Delhi Capitals in the 2024 IPL. Talking about the veteran pacer's IPL career, he has bagged 86 wickets in 105 matches at an economy rate of 8.20.
Wriddhiman Saha
Wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha was also part of KKR's playing XI in the first-ever IPL match. Saha has represented Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans in IPL. In 2024 IPL. Saha is representing the Gujarat Titans.
Talking about Saha's numbers in the cash-rich tournament, the veteran cricketer has scored 2,874 runs in 165 matches at a strike rate of 128.13. Saha has registered 13 fifties and one century in his IPL career so far.
Rest of RCB XI of 2008
Rahul Dravid
Wasim Jaffer
Jacques Kallis
Cameron White
Mark Boucher
Balachandra Akhil
Ashley Noffke
Praveen Kumar
Zaheer Khan
Sunil Joshi
Rest of KKR playing XI of 2008
Brendon McCullum
Sourav Ganguly
Ricky Ponting
David Hussey
Mohammad Hafeez
Laxmi Shukla
Ajit Agarkar
Murali Kartik
Ashok Dinda
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