IPL: 10 Players who impressed on their debut in cash-rich league

IPL is the centre of attraction each year. It’s been growing exponentially since 2008. There have been numerous instances when players played the IPL first and then for their respective national sides. The standard of the IPL is so high that they get the exposure to play international kind of cricket before they actually play it. They get to share the stage with international performers as well. 

Each year we get to see the debut of some good quality cricketers for their respective franchises. While some succumb to the pressure, some don't and go on to have a great IPL beginning. Those who don't manage to come through age-group cricket, sometimes get a chance in the IPL, and that often leads their way into the national team. 

There have been many instances that have come as a surprise where certain players performed extraordinarily in their very first IPL match. As we are celebrating 15 years of the Indian Premier League, let's go back to memory lane and discuss some of the incredible debut individual performances in the IPL that left us in awe. 

1. Brendon McCullum's 158* vs RCB, 2008

In the very first match of the IPL, Brendon McCullum set the tone for everyone with his swashbuckling innings. His sheer presence on the field that day showed the path of how T20 cricket would dominate in the next 10-15 years to come.

He smashed 13 sixes and 10 fours. His 73 ball-158 not out at the M Chinnaswammy Stadium was a spectacular show. He dominated the Royal Challengers Bangalore bowlers thoroughly.

The significance of that innings lies in the scorecard, nobody could cross the 20-run mark in the entire match. It still feels surreal when you look back at the names that played the match. 'Baz' as McCullum is fondly known took the world by surprise. Afterwards, we did get to see the impact it had on his batting going forward..

IPL got the push it needed to kickstart something special, back then it was more about the entertainment part involving Bollywood and stuff. But McCullum's innings lit up the stage right from the get-go. IPL got off to an electrifying start and is getting stronger season by season.

 Surprisingly, till Venkatesh Iyer's century in the ongoing season at Wankhede, no KKR player had reached the three-figure mark. It speaks volumes about the first-ever century in the IPL.