Indian Premier League, Knocks To Remember: Brendon McCullum, 158 Not Out Vs RCB

The stage was set for the inaugural match of the first season of Indian Premier League at Bengaluru. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) led by then-skipper Sourav Ganguly, were up against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The stakes were high for a cracker that night and New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum ensured that the IPL got off to a flying start. Put in to bat, KKR openers Ganguly and McCullum began the proceedings. It was McCullum who took the mantle away from Ganguly and began hammering the RCB bowlers all over the park. Ganguly was merely a spectator from the other end as the Kiwi opener reached to his century in no time. Taking only 53 balls, he hit seven sixes and 8 boundaries.

His shots weren't restricted to one part of the stadium, they landed all over the park. The opposition bowlers had no answer to his heroics.

KKR posted 222 runs at the end of their 20 overs with McCullum hitting 158 out of the total score. He took only 73 balls to reach his unbeaten 158 at an astonishing strike rate of 216.43.

He finished his innings with ten fours and thirteen sixes. RCB bowlers Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Ashley Noffke and Jacques Kallis were at the receiving end of McCullum's unforgettable knock. His feat that night didn't leave any chance for the hosts RCB to recover after the brutal hammering in the first innings.

KKR bundled out the RCB batsmen for 82 runs and eventually won the match by 140 runs. McCullum was rightly adjudged the man of the match that evening.

The inaugural 2008 IPL edition was won by Rajasthan Royals. The Royals beat Chennai Super Kings by three wickets to clinch their maiden IPL trophy.