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The inaugural edition of World T-20 in 2007 was a stepping stone in the history of the shortest format of the game. And India being crowned as the World Champions was a blessing in disguise for the upliftment for the newest format of the game.
The Indian team, despite their senior players missing the tournament due to the lack of interests shown in the format, were invincible as their successful campaign in South Africa was the perfect advert to promote the game in India.
In the months to follow, the inception of Indian Premier League (IPL) was a huge landmark given the success that it witnessed in the forthcoming years. The lucrative league saw the attention of many foreign players, who opted to feature in the two-month long extravaganza of cricket.
The kind of reception that the league received in its inaugural season, was remarkable to see. Fans could relate more to it as they could support their local heroes playing for their state alongside some of the finest overseas players, in their will to win the coveted IPL trophy.
Despite the glamour, frenzy and the lucrative value attached to the league, it was pleasing to see tough cricket being played on the field. It also brought an opportunity for the young Indian talent to rub their shoulders against the certain best in the World.
The entire story success story of the past 11 years of IPL began in 2008 which gave the world a moment to cherish and witness some of the best in the business playing under the same umbrella of IPL. It was a break-through season for some of the players, who could establish themselves in their national side on the back of some blistering performances in the league.
Let us take a look at those players who would straight away walk into the Best XI of IPL 2008:
1. Shaun Marsh (Kings XI Punjab)
The young Western Australian cricketer who had not played for the national team until then was bought by the Kings XI Punjab in the inaugural season of the league. It was a bargain buy at his base price of INR 12 lakhs, given the fact that he emerged as the leading run scorer in the tournament. The left-handed opener was a hit for the men in red at the top of the order.
His collaborations with Yuvraj and Sangakkara at the top proved to be gold as he carried his side through to the final four before losing out against the Dhoni-led CSK in the Semi-Final.
The 24-year old mustered 616 runs in just 11 innings at a staggering average of 68.44 with a strike rate nearing 140. The numbers were just a reflection of what he brought to the table for the Punjab-based franchise. The extent of his impact could be estimated with his five man of the match performance – most for any player in that season.
2. Gautam Gambhir (Delhi Capitals, then Delhi Daredevils)
The ever-so aggressive Indian opener, Gautam Gambhir was the backbone of the Delhi-based franchise in their batting department. The left-hander was bought for a whopping US $725,000 as he went onto do enough justice to the price tag attached to his name.
Being one of their marquee players alongside skipper Virender Sehwag, Gambhir shouldered responsibility at the top of the order.
His runs at the start proved to be fruitful for his team as they claimed the fourth spot in the Points Table before losing out to Rajasthan Royals in the Semi-Final. Being one of India’s best batsman during the phase of 2008-09, the 27-year old extended his good run even for his home franchise.
Gambhir did the bulk of scoring for his team in the entire season and accounted for second-highest 524 runs at an impressive average of 41 with a strike rate of 140.
3. Suresh Raina (Chennai Super Kings)
One of India’s best T20 player, Raina first realized his effective skills in the format at the inaugural edition of IPL in 2008. Being a part of the star-studded side in Chennai Super Kings under the leadership of MS Dhoni, the 21-year was not bogged down in intimidation of being around certain match winners.
His batting and the electrifying fielding were the huge bonus as per the Indian point of view. The southpaw was at his imperious best to display the quality to take the attack to the opposition.
His was a dominant customer against the spinners, but his knack of hitting towering sixes even against the pacers, was an added aspect to his game. Raina eventually emerged as the best batsman for CSK, mustering 421 runs at an average of 38.27 with an astounding strike rate of 142.
His love affair with this format and popularity among the Chennai fans was just building to take stand as he continued to play for the men in yellow for the next eight years.
4. Shane Watson (Rajasthan Royals)
The Australian all-rounder was a top draw for the Jaipur-based franchise in the first edition of the league. A class all-rounder by all sorts, Watson played a huge role in taking Rajasthan through to the finals and be eventually crowned as Champions of the inaugural edition.
A young player who had the ability to turn the game – both with bat and ball, was a great acquisition for the Royals. Despite going through an injury-prone phase in his career, Watson was bought at the second auction before the season in 2008.
He did a perfect all-rounders’ job by scoring runs and taking wickets to help his side in making it a successful maiden campaign. He picked 17 wickets at a decent economy of 7.07 and scored most – 472 runs for his side at an average of 47.02 with a strike rate in excess of 150. He was among the few senior players in the side, who led an inexperienced Royals’ squad.
5. Yusuf Pathan (Rajasthan Royals)
An explosive middle-order bat and a handy off-spinner, Yusuf Pathan was a chief architect in scripting a successful campaign for the Royals in IPL 2008. His effectiveness and the ability to contribute with both bat and ball, came to the fore with his stint with the Jaipur-based franchise. He responded to every penny of US $550,000 with his performance for his franchise.
A pinch-hitter in the lower order, Pathan did wonders with the bat, accumulating 435 runs in the season with a mind-boggling average nearing 180 in the entire season. A reliable campaigner, his batting proved to be the difference for the Royals on many occasions.
The Baroda-lad also took responsibility with the ball, bowling few overs of off-spin on crucial junctures of the game. However, he was still a beginner in this skill of his but still managed to account for eight wickets at a decent economy of 8 runs an over.
6. MS Dhoni (WK - Chennai Super Kings)
The World Cup-winning captain for India in 2007, MS Dhoni saw a change in his fortunes after a memorable win for the men in blue in the Rainbow Nation. Dhoni, who was until then, known for his exuberant skills with the bat, was in the reckoning for India’s captaincy in the limited overs format of the game.
However, IPL 2008 was a stepping stone in his career as he joined Chennai Super Kings and captained them to the Finals of the tournament. Dhoni was the most expensive player bought in the IPL after CSK made a bid of US $1.5 million.
The franchise got their money’s worth as they achieved glory twice in next four years. The 26-year old led from the front with 414 runs with a strike rate of 133 in the entire season. His exploits as a finisher and the ability to win cliff-hangers for CSK saw him stamp his authority in the World cricket.
7. Irfan Pathan (Kings XI Punjab)
The explosive Indian all-rounder, Irfan Pathan was at the peak of his powers in the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League. His tie-up with the Kings XI Punjab proved to be fruitful for his success in the years to follow in his cricketing career.
The Preity Zinta-owned team bought his services for a hefty amount of US $925,000. A team-man in all sense, Irfan had a pretty good run in the first few years with the Punjab-based franchise.
The younger of the Pathan brothers, who was fast-tracked as the next ‘Kapil Dev of India’, did enough justice to his reputation as a seam-bowling all-rounder. He picked up 15 wickets at an impressive economy of 6.60. He didn’t disappoint with the bat too and made 131 runs lower down the order in the entire season to bail his team out in some of the nervy moments.
8. Piyush Chawla (Kings XI Punjab)
The right-arm leg-spinner, Piyush Chawla who hails from the state of Uttar Pradesh, was a regular in the Indian scheme of things during the period of 2007-10. Chawla, who made his IPL debut playing for Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2008, was their frontline spinner in the attack.
His wrist spin became effective with time as he ended being the second most successful bowler for the men in red.
He claimed 17 scalps in the entire season to lead Punjab’s spin attack in all games. He contribution with the bat in the lower-order proved to be gold for the team. Time and again, he bowled match winning spells to guide his team to the finishing line.
Chawla was quick through to the air and relied on immaculate consistency to land the ball on the same spot. He was also a part of the IPL winning Kolkata-based franchise in 2014.
9. Shane Warne (Captain – Rajasthan Royals)
A magician with the ball and arguably one of the greatest leg-spinners of all time, Shane Warne was a born leader. Though it was unfortunate that his country failed to utilize him for his service as a skipper. However, in the inaugural edition of the IPL, Warne was declared as the skipper and the coach for Rajasthan Royals.
The leg-spinner showed faith in his young crop of boys and led his team to an inspiring campaign in the league’s first ever season in 2008.
Warne led from the front and was the second-highest wicket taker after his teammate Sohail Tanvir. He accounted for 19 wickets through the entire course of the season. His experience was vital for the team as he was the only non-Indian captain in the IPL.
Warne did a wonderful job to deal with the local talent and allowed them to play their natural game. He took some bold decisions which paid off for the better interests of his team.
10. S Sreesanth (Kings XI Punjab)
One of India’s supremely talented pace bowler, Sreesanth was roped in by Kings XI Punjab in the inaugural edition of the league in 2008. He did a marvellous job for his side, emerging as the third highest wicket-taker in the league.
However, Sreesanth was in the news for rather controversial reasons after being involved in a Slap-Gate incident with Harbhajan Singh at Mohali in a game against the Mumbai Indians.
It was a pretty sight to witness Sreesanth bowl at the peak of his prime. He claimed 19 wickets at a decent economy of 8.63. His acquisition with Kings XI continued for three long years until 2010, before he was bought by Kochi Tuskers Kerala in 2011.
IPL 2008 was one of his most successful seasons in the history of IPL as things continued to get worse for the Kerala-born speedster in the forthcoming years.
11. Sohail Tanvir (Rajasthan Royals)
The most successful bowler in the maiden IPL edition, Tanvir emerged as the leading wicket-taker to bag the purple cap. He played 11 games and took 22 wickets at an economy of 6.46 run per over. He was an asset in the Warne-led Royals and played a major role to ride the team to a successful campaign.
His variations on the ball and the left-arm action made it impossible for the batters to anticipate what was coming their way. His leg-side flick on the ultimate delivery of the IPL Final for a boundary against Balaji is a memory still etched in the minds of millions of cricket fans.
He was a perfect match for the shortest version of the game. However, it was unfortunate that he could show his skills in his only season at IPL as political tension between the two nations didn't allow Pakistani players to feature in any further editions of the league.
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