IPL: Kolkata Knight Riders's first ever IPL XI- Where are they now?

Kolkata Knight Riders is one of the successful franchises in the IPL history, having lifted the IPL Trophy two times in 2012 and 2014, apart from reaching the playoffs in 2011,2016 and 2017.

Kolkata Knight Riders began the inaugural edition of IPL with a bang by winning starting two matches on a trot, but lost the plot later on due to inconsistent performances, and ended up finishing on 6th place, thereby failing to qualify for the semifinals.

The Kolkata Knight Riders played their maiden IPL match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on 18 April 2008, which is also the first ever IPL match to be played, and won the match by a thumping margin of 140 runs.

Currently, none of the 11 players who took the field for Kolkata Knight Riders in their maiden IPL match, are now part of Kolkata Knight Riders franchise.

So let us look at the playing XI of Kolkata Knight Riders which took the field in their maiden IPL match:

#1 Sourav Ganguly (C)

Prince of Kolkata Sourav Ganguly was captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the inaugural edition of IPL and also their best batsman. Ganguly finished the tournament as the highest run scorer for Knight Riders, with 349 runs in 14 matches at an average of 29.08 and a strike rate of 113.68. In Kolkata Knight Rider's inaugural IPL match, Ganguly scored just 10 runs of 12 balls, but picked up 2 wickets with the ball.

Ganguly is regarded as one of the greatest captains in the history of Indian Cricket, having led India to the finals of World Cup 2003, with his aggressive captaincy and was also influential in India winning test matches in overseas conditions, under his captaincy.

Ganguly retired from international cricket in October 2008, there by ending his 16 years long international career with more than 18000 international runs and 38 hundreds to his name in all formats of the game.

Ganguly was part of Kolkata Knight Riders franchise from 2008-2010, and then played for now defunct Pune Warriors India from 2011 to 2012, even captaining the Pune Warriors in IPL 2012, and retired from IPL Cricket at the end of IPL 2012.

Currently, Ganguly is President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, and also one of the four members of the IPL Governing Council, responsible for all the functions of the tournament.

#2 Brendon McCullum

In the inaugural IPL match, the then Kiwi wicket keeper Brendon McCullum played one of the best innings in the history of IPL. McCullum smashed RCB bowlers to all corners of the stadium, by scoring 158 runs of just 73 balls containing 10 fours and 13 sixes, there by making the people all around the world realise, IPL has arrived in the cricketing world and would stay for a very long time.

McCullum played just 4 matches in the inaugural edition of IPL, as he had to leave for national duty. But in the 4 matches he played McCullum scored 188 runs at an average of 47, with a stunning strike rate of 204.35 and smashed 15 sixes.

Brendon McCullum started playing international cricket for New Zealand from 2002, and retired in February 2016 at the age of 35. In the IPL McCullum was part of Kolkata Knight Riders from 2008-2010, and again in 2012-2013. Apart from Kolkata Knight Riders, McCullum has played for 3 other IPL franchises and will now appear for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2018 which will be his 4th IPL franchise.

Currently, Brendon McCullum is one of the few cricketers in the world to be playing in all the global T20 leagues happening around the world such as PSL, CPL, BPL and Big Bash League.

#3 Ricky Ponting

Legendary Australian batsman Ricky Ponting is widely regarded by many cricket pundits as one of the greatest batsmen, and along with being the best captain and best player of short pitch bowling in the history of International Cricket. Under Ponting's captaincy Australia won two World Cups in 2003 and 2007.

In Kolkata Knight Rider's inaugural IPL match, Ponting scored run a ball 20 by hitting one four and a six, before being dismissed by Jacques Kallis, and took 2 catches. Ponting played just 4 matches in IPL 2008, and left for national duty.

Apart from Kolkata Knight Riders, Ricky Ponting also played for Mumbai Indians franchise in IPL 2013, and even captained them for few matches, before dropping himself from the Mumbai Indians playing XI due to poor form, and finally retired from the IPL after Mumbai Indians successfully won the IPL 2013.

Currently, Ricky Ponting is back in IPL as the coach of Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2018.

#4 David Hussey

Younger of Hussey brothers, David Hussey often played the role of a finisher for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2008. In the inaugural edition of IPL, David Hussey finished as 2nd highest run scorer for Kolkata Knight Riders behind Saurav Ganguly, with 319 runs from 14 matches.

In Kolkata Knight Rider's inaugural IPL match, David Hussey had a 60-run 3rd wicket partnership with Brendon McCullum in just 5 overs, and scored run a ball 12 before being dismissed in the 17th over of Kolkata Knight Rider's innings.

David Hussey played ODI and T20 cricket for Australia from 2008 to 2013, but failed to establish himself as a permanent member of Australian team. In IPL apart from Kolkata Knight Riders, David Hussey also played for Kings XI Punjab from 2011 to 2013, even captaining Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2012 in absence of injured Adam Gilchrist, and for Chennai Super Kings in 2014 edition of IPL, where he was a replacement for injured Dwayne Bravo.

Currently, David Hussey is captain of Melbourne Stars in Australian Big Bash League.

#6 Mohammad Hafeez

Former Pakistan captain, Mohammad Hafeez played just one season of IPL, since Pakistani players were banned from playing IPL from 2009 in of wake 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008. Hafeez made his international debut for Pakistan in April 2003 against Zimbabwe, but became a permanent member of Pakistan team only after T20 World Cup 2010.

In Kolkata Knight Riders maiden IPL match, Hafeez did not contribute much with the bat as he came to bat in the 17th over of Knight Rider's innings, playing second fiddle to explosive Brendon McCullum in a 50 runs partnership of just 17 balls for the 4th wicket and scored 5 runs of 3 balls, and did not get a chance to bowl.

Apart from being the member of Pakistan team currently, Hafeez also plays in various global T20 leagues around the world such as PSL, CPL, BPL and Big Bash League.

#6 Laxmi Ratan Shukla

West Bengal all rounder, Laxmi Ratan Shukla often played quickfire innings for Kolkata Knight Riders down the order in IPL 2008. In Kolkata Knight Riders maiden IPL match, Shukla did not get a chance to bat, and picked up the wicket of Sunil Joshi with the ball. Shukla played for Kolkata Knight Riders from 2008-2013, and then for Delhi Daredevils in 2014 and Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2015.

Impressive performances in the domestic circuit got Shukla a national call up to the Indian Cricket Team for Asian Test Championship in 1999, but was dropped in favor of Ashish Nehra in the first test against Sri Lanka at Colombo, despite his name being flashed in the playing XI of Indian Team on the electronic scoreboard at the ground. He made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in March 1999 at Nagpur, and played his last ODI against West Indies in 1999.

Currently, Shukla is a member of All India Trinamool Congress, and won the Howrah Uttar Constituency by defeating Roopa Ganguly of BJP in 2016 West Bengal Legislative Assembly Election, and is the minister of West Bengal State Sports and Youth Services.

#7 Wriddhiman Saha (WK)

Indian test wicket keeper, Wriddhiman Saha played for Kolkata Knight Riders from 2008-2010, and later on went on to represent Chennai Super Kings from 2011-2013 and Kings XI Punjab from 2014-2017 and is now going to turn out for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2018, who bought him in the recently concluded IPL Auctions.

Wriddhiman Saha had an average IPL 2008 and scored 159 runs with the bat in 13 matches. In Kolkata Knight Riders maiden IPL match, Saha did not get a chance to bat and took Cameron White's catch behind the stumps. Saha also holds a unique record for being the only batsman to score a hundred in the finals of IPL, when he scored unbeaten 115 runs from 55 balls in the finals of IPL 2014 in a losing cause

Saha made his Test debut for India on January 2010 against South Africa at Nagpur, but it was only after the retirement of MS Dhoni from Test cricket in December 2014 that Saha become the first choice wicket keeper of Indian Test Team. Apart from being the first choice wicket keeper of Indian Test Team currently, Saha has also played 9 One day Internationals for Indian team, the last of which coming in November 2014 against Sri Lanka.

#8 Ajit Agarkar

Former Indian fast bowler, Ajit Agarkar on his day could win matches for India by his fast bowling, evident by the fact when he destroyed strong Australian batting line up in 2nd innings of Adelaide test by taking 6 wickets on December 2003, helping India win a test match in Australia after a long gap of 23 years.

Agarkar did not have a good IPL 2008, and took just 8 wickets from 9 matches at a higher economy rate of 8.28. But in Kolkata Knight Riders maiden IPL match, Agarkar had a pretty good match and picked up 3 wickets by giving away just 25 runs from his quota of 4 overs. In IPL apart from Kolkata Knight Riders, Agarkar also played for Delhi Daredevils from 2011 to 2013.

Ajit Agarkar played for India from 1998-2007, before inconsistent performance with the ball saw him getting dropped from Indian team post-2007, and played his last game for India against New Zealand in 2007 T20 World Cup. In 2013, Agarkar announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. Post-retirement Agarkar began a new career as a cricket analyst.

#9 Ishant Sharma

Ten years back in 2007-08, an 18 year old Ishant Sharma shot into prominence during the Test series in Australia. Ishant's rhythmic high-arm action at quick pace troubled the legendary Ricky Ponting in the Perth test of that series, in such a manner that it prompted former Australian Captain Steve Waugh to call him the next big thing in Indian cricket.

Sadly, Ishant could not leave up to the lofty standards he created in 2007-08, and lost his pace and place in Indian ODI and T20 team by the end of 2013 due to his tendency to leak runs in death overs on regular basis. Despite his inconsistency in shorter formats, Ishant is an integral part of Indian test team, and recently played an important role in helping India win the 3rd test against South Africa by dismissing dangerous Hashim Amla in 2nd innings.

Ishant did not have a good IPL 2008, and took just 7 wickets in 13 matches at an economy rate of 7.81. But in Kolkata Knight Riders maiden IPL match, Ishant bowled an economical spell of 3-0-7-1. Ishant has so far played for five IPL franchises, and was unsold in the recently concluded 2018 IPL Auctions.

#10 Murali Kartik

Former Indian left arm spinner Murali Kartik played just 6 matches in the inaugural edition of IPL, and picked up just 3 wickets at a higher economy rate of 8.82. In Kolkata Knight Riders maiden IPL match, Kartik did not get a chance to bowl as Kolkata Knight Rider's pacers dismissed RCB for just 82 runs in 15 overs.

Murali Kartik played for India from 2000-2007, but found his international selection blocked majority of times, during his prime years due to the presence of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, and was only considered for selection if either of Kumble or Harbhajan were out due to injuries.

In IPL apart from Kolkata Knight Riders, Kartik has also played for Pune Warriors India, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab, and is currently working as a commentator.

#11 Ashok Dinda

Ashok Dinda was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders in the inaugural IPL auction, and was often a strike bowler for Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Saurav Ganguly in the inaugural edition of IPL. Dinda had a fairly decent IPL 2008, where he picked up 8 wickets from 13 matches at a miserly economy rate of 6.67. In Kolkata Knight Rider's maiden IPL match, Dinda bowled an economical spell of 3-0-9-2.

Consistent performances in the domestic circuit earned Dinda a call-up to the Indian T20 squad in 2009 against Sri Lanka on December 9 at Nagpur, where he picked up the prized wicket of Sanath Jayasuriya. Almost a year later, in June 2010, he made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe and was also picked for the 2010 Asia Cup.

But, Dinda's tendency to leak runs on regular basis, coupled with emergence of Mohammad Shami cost Dinda his place in Indian team, and he last played for India in January 2013. In IPL, Dinda has so far played for five IPL franchises, but went unsold in the recently concluded 2018 IPL Auctions Dinda currently plays for Bengal in the domestic circuit.