IPL History: Kolkata Knight Riders' XI from their first ever match - Where are they now?

Where are these ex-KKR players now?
Where are these ex-KKR players now?

Kolkata Knight Riders are one of the more popular Indian Premier League (IPL) teams with a huge fan following. 55% of KKR's stake is with Red Chillies Entertainment of Shahrukh Khan and remaining 45% with Mehta Group of Jay Mehta (husband of Juhi Chawla).

Dinesh Karthik, Andre Russell, Kuldeep Yadav, Robin Uthappa, and Sunil Narine are a few of the prominent players retained by KKR ahead of the upcoming edition of the IPL. There have been also a few key players signed, such as Carlos Braithwaite, Lockie Ferguson, and Joe Denly.

The purple and golds have been a part of the IPL since its inaugural edition in 2018. Legendary players such as Brendon McCullum, Sourav Ganguly, and Ricky Ponting have also donned KKR's jersey.

Despite being a 'big' team, KKR were knocked out during the league stage itself in the first there editions of the IPL. However, the Kolkata-based franchise has made it to the playoffs in six of the last eight editions and won both the finals it has featured in (2012 and 2014).

In this throwback article, we take a look at the Kolkata Knight Riders' playing XI in their first ever IPL game and where they are now. In that match, KKR squared off against RCB in the first ever match in IPL history and won the game by 140 runs in an emphatic fashion.


Top Order: Sourav Ganguly, Brendon McCullum, and Ricky Ponting

Brendon McCullum in KKR colours
Brendon McCullum in KKR colours

Sourav Ganguly came out to open with Brendon McCullum during KKR's first match. Ricky Ponting coming in at number there completed one of the most daunting top orders.

46-year-old Ganguly is now currently the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal. God of the Off Side, as Ganguly is popularly known, played a total of 59 matches in the IPL and amassed 1,349 runs at an average of 25.45. He is also currently a member of IPL's Technical Committee as well as Governing Council. Gangluly also owns a stake in Indian Super League club ATK.

Any cricket fanatic would remember Brendon McCullum's blistering knock of 158 off 73 deliveries in the opening match of IPL. The Kiwi player hit 13 sixes and 10 fours in his breathtaking knock.

The New Zealander retired from all forms of International cricket on 24 February 2016 but still plays for multiple domestic T20 leagues. Brendon McCullum went unsold during IPL 2019 auction. He represents Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League and Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League. The explosive player has played a total of 109 IPL matches and accumulated 2,880 runs at an average of 27.69 and strike rate of 131.75.

Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting came in at one down during the KKR's first IPL match. He scored 20 off 20 deliveries and supported McCullum in hitting the historic knock. Considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time, Ponting has currently the assistant coach of the Autralian national cricket team.

The natural leader will also be seen as the head coach of the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2019. The former Aussie skipper did not have a memorable IPL career as player as he only amassed 91 runs in 10 matches at a dismal average of 10.11.

Also Read: IPL 2019: Ranking the wicketkeepers of all 8 teams

Middle Order: David Hussey, Mohammad Hafeez, Laxmi Shukla, Wriddhiman Saha (wk)

Mohammad Hafeez
Mohammad Hafeez

Former Aussie player David Hussey represented three IPL franchises - Kolkata Knight Riders (from 2008 to 2010), Kings XI Punjab (from 2011 to 2013), and Chennai Super Kings (in 2014). The 41-year-old played 64 IPL matches in total and scored 1,322 runs overall. His last stint as a player was with the Melbourne Stars in the BBL 2016-17.

David Hussey has become a cricket expert and shares his comments with various publications. He also features occasionally as a commentator.

Mohammad Hafeez had a disappointing IPL career but one of the best international careers. The batting all-rounder featured in only the inaugural edition of IPL and scored a meagre 64 runs in 8 IPL matches. He has played 208 ODIs and 55 Tests for the national team.

The 38-year-old is currently the captain of the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League. He had fractured his right thumb during a PSL match and has undergone surgery for the same. The Sargodha-born player is expected to take around six to eight weeks to recover and be fit for the 2019 World Cup. Hafeez also recently represented Rajshahi Kings in the Bangladesh Premier League.

Wriddhiman Saha
Wriddhiman Saha

Laxmi Shukla was a part of KKR from 2008 to 2013, whereas he represented Delhi Daredevils in 2014 and Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2015. The batting all-rounder played a total of 47 IPL matches and amassed 405 runs. The 37-year-old last played for Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in December 2015. He has since ventured into politics and is a minister of State Sports and Youth Services.

Wriddhiman Saha is still an active cricketer. He will be seen playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the upcoming IPL season. The experienced campaigner has played 115 IPL matches and represented Kolkata Knight Riders from 2008 to 2010, Kings XI Punjab from 2014 to 2017 and has since been part of the Hyderabad-based franchise.

Saha could never really cement his place in the national team due to the omnipresence of Dhoni. However, the 34-year-old has got plenty of opportunities to play Test cricket after Dhoni's retirement from the format. He has represented the nation in 32 Tests. Saha is currently playing or Bengal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Also Read: IPL 2019: Ranking the all-rounders of the 8 IPL teams

Bowlers: Ajit Agarkar, Murali Kartik, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Dinda

Ajit Agarkar
Ajit Agarkar

Ajit Agarkar was with KKR for the first three editions of the IPL and then represented Delhi Daredevils in the next three. The right-arm fast-medium bowler clinched a total of 29 wickets in the 42 IPL matches he played. He is one of India's most successful ODI bowlers and is 3rd on the list of most career wickets (by an Indian player) in the format with 288 wickets in 191 matches. Agarkar also scalped three wickets in KKR's first ever match.

The 41-year-old has become a popular cricket analyst post his retirement in 2013. He features on many talk shows related to the sport.

Murali Kartik represented the Men in Blue sporadically between the years 2000 and 2007. The 42-year-old played right Tests and 37 ODIs for the nation. The slow left-arm orthodox spinner represented 4 IPL franchises - Kolkata Knight Riders, Pune Warriors India, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Kings XI Punjab.

Kartik also played English county cricket. The former cricketer recently took up the sport of golf and is trying his hand at the sport (watch video below). He can also be seen as a commentator or analyst in popular Television shows.

Ashok Dinda represented Team India in 13 ODIs and 9 T20Is. Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors India, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Rising Pune Supergiant are the five IPL franchises Dinda has played for. The 34-year-old has played a total of 78 IPL games and clinched 69 wickets in the same.

The right-arm medium-fast bowler currently plays for Bengal in various competitions such as the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In the latest match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy between Assam and Bengal, Dinda clinched four wickets and gave away only 17 runs in his four overs. The Indian speedster had also scalped two wickets (of Wasim Jaffer and Virat Kohli) in KKR's first ever match against RCB.

Ishant Sharma is still an active cricketer. The 30-year-old was a part of the Indian team during their Test tour in Australia recently. He performed well and picked up 11 wickets in the three Tests he played.

The lanky fast bowler is currently a part of the Delhi side playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Sharma has clinched a total of 58 wickets in the 76 IPL matches he has played. He will be representing the Delhi Capitals in the upcoming edition of IPL.

Also Read: IPL 2019: Delhi Capitals Squad - Complete list of Players in DC Team for IPL 2019

Check RCB Squad 2024 Details. Follow Sportskeeda for IPL 2024 Live Score, Schedule, Points Table

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Edited by Tobi Amoo