IPL: The first ever happenings of Rajasthan Royals in the league

The Rajasthan Royals stunned many critics by winning the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) under Shane Warne’s captaincy. The Royals won the title despite playing their line-up filled with lesser-known names. However, they failed to replicate that magic and in fact, never came close to doing that.

Rajasthan Royals are yet to make it to the finals of the IPL despite playing nine IPL seasons after the maiden title in 2008. They finished in top four only in a couple of seasons during this period.

Here we look at the happenings of the Rajasthan Royals for the first time in the history of IPL:

First ball:

The first ball of Rajasthan Royals in the IPL was faced by Taruwar Kohli in the bowling off Glenn McGrath which turned to be a dot ball. (Over 0.1 – Inns No.1 vs Delhi in Delhi on April 19, 2008)

First run and six:

Taruwar Kohli hit the final ball off the first over bowled by Glenn McGrath over cover-point for a six. It was also the first run scored off the bat for the Rajasthan Royals. (Over 0.6 – Inns No.1 vs Delhi in Delhi on April 19, 2008)

First four:

RR’s first four was hit by Yusuf Pathan in the bowling of Brett Greeves during the 2nd over of the innings. (Over 1.5 – Inns No.1 vs Delhi in Delhi on April 19, 2008)

First wicket:

Shane Watson cleaned up Virender Sehwag after getting hit for three successive fours in the 2nd over of Delhi innings. It was the first wicket picked up for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. (Over 1.4 – Inns No.2 in Delhi on April 19, 2008)

First catch:

Shane Warne claimed the first catch of Rajasthan Royals in the IPL when Kumar Sangakkara got out by giving a return catch to him. It was also the first IPL wicket for Warne. (Over 6.3 – Inns No.1 in Jaipur on April 21, 2008)

First stumping:

Kamran Akmal affected the first stumping for the Royals in the IPL when Dinesh Salunkhe got better of Mahela Jayawardene. (Over 7.3 – Inns No.2 vs KXIP in Jaipur on April 21, 2008)

First runout:

Ravindra Jadeja and Kamran Akmal combined to runout Sunny Sohal. It was the first runout affected by RR in league history. (Over 18.6 – Inns No.2 vs KXIP in Jaipur on April 21, 2008)

First fifty:

Shane Watson scored RR’s maiden fifty in the IPL when he scored an unbeaten 76 off 49 balls with 5 sixes and 5 fours against Kings XI Punjab. (in Jaipur on April 21, 2008)

First century:

Yusuf Pathan recorded the first century for RR in the IPL with a 37-ball 100 which he scored against Mumbai Indians with 9 fours and 8 sixes. (in Mumbai on March 13, 2010)

First maiden over:

The first over of Shane Warne during RCB’s innings in their away match turned out to be a wicket maiden. Mark Boucher was dismissed on the 4th ball after he failed to score a run in the first three balls. Sunil Joshi played out the remaining two balls of the over. It was the first maiden over bowled by a Rajasthan Royals’ player in IPL. (12th over – Inns No.2 vs RCB in Bangalore on April 26, 2008)

First 5-wicket haul:

Sohail Tanvir’s 6/14 against Chennai Super Kings in the inaugural season was the first 5-wicket haul in the league history. (in Jaipur on May 4, 2008)

First hat-trick:

The first hat-trick of the IPL by a RR player was registered by Ajit Chandila in 2012 against Pune Warriors India. Chandila got the wickets of Jesse Ryder and Sourav Ganguly with the last two balls of the innings’ first over. He completed a hat-trick by dismissing Robin Uthappa at the start of his 2nd over. (in Jaipur May 13, 2012)

First win:

Rajasthan Royals registered their maiden IPL win by defeating Kings XI Punjab. They chased down the target of 167 in 18.1 overs for the loss of four wickets. (in Jaipur on April 21, 2008)

First final and title:

Rajasthan Royals made it to the final of the maiden IPL season and became the first winners of the league by defeating Chennai Super Kings. (in Mumbai on May 1, 2008)