In 2008, nobody knew what the Indian Premier League was going to be all about. India were fresh off their World T20 win from South Africa when BCCI announced the inaugural season of the cash-rich league.
Kolkata Knight Riders were taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Brendon McCullum scored an unbeaten 158 in the opening match, an innings which became a part the IPL folklore.
Meanwhile, Kolkata scored a mammoth 222/3 as Brendon McCullum hit 13 sixes and 10 fours in his 73-ball knock. It turned out to be a one-sided affair as RCB were bowled out for 82.
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12 years since playing that knock, McCullum now is the coach of the Knight Riders. In a special chat with KKR’s official website, McCullum recalled what former Kolkata skipper Sourav Ganguly said after his 158* in IPL 2020.
McCullum recalls what Ganguly said after 158* in 2008
I don’t remember many reactions in detail, but what I do remember is what Sourav Ganguly said to me that night. Dada said, ‘Your life is changed forever’, and I didn’t quite know what he meant at the time, but (in hindsight), I 100% agree with him,” McCullum told KKR’s website.
Brendon Mccullum was a part of the KKR squad which won its first IPL title under Gautam Gambhir. The former Kiwi skipper also spoke about his special bond with Kolkata team owner Shahrukh Khan.
“Well, Shah Rukh did say to me ‘You’ll always be very involved with KKR’ and this, I guess, is another opportunity,” said McCullum.
We’re trying to play a style of cricket which is a great representation of the people of Bengal and also Shah Rukh, Jay (Mehta) and all those involved in the franchise. Hopefully, we will be able to be successful, because I think we’ve got the right team for it as well,” McCullum added further.
Brendon McCullum is currently in the Caribbean where his team Trinbago Knight Riders has made it to the finals. He would like to impart the same strategies when he joins his IPL side and take them to new heights.
KKR won their last IPL title back in 2014 when the IPL was held in the UAE. The management would hope that McCullum would be able to inspire the Dinesh Karthik-led side to their third IPL title.
