Highest score on debut innings for KKR in IPL: Debut innings in cricket are hearty moments for a player. These innings often define the trajectory of their career with each run holding immense significance. While an impressive debut can etch a player’s name in history, a shaky start somehow questions their potential.
In the 17-year-old history of the Indian Premier League, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has been one of the franchises producing top-notch talent. Among a long list of players, some batters witnessed their memorable debuts. Including exclusive strokeplay and innings under pressure, these debut innings leave an indelible mark on IPL’s annals.
Among these standout performances, one statistic stands tall – the highest score on debut innings for KKR. In this blog, we will take a look at the top five high scores from KKR players on their debut for the franchise.
List Players of Highest score on debut innings for KKR in IPL
158* – Brendon McCullum vs RCB, IPL 2008
The opening match of the maiden season of the IPL was surely captivating. Thanks to the moment-defining inning from Brendon McCullum, who smashed a fiery 158 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. His knock coming off just 73 balls helped KKR post a massive total of 222. In response, the RCB stumbled on 82 as the Purple Force won by a notable margin of 140 runs.
McCullum’s innings was supported by 10 boundaries and 13 massive sixes. His strike rate of 216.43 is still counted among the best in IPL history. Notably, no KKR player has been able to breach McCullum’s record for posting 100 or more runs on debut innings.
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64 – Manish Pandey v MI, IPL 2014
Manish Pandey, who made his debut for the KKR in the 2014 season against the Mumbai Indians, stole the limelight in the very first inning. He scored a 53 ball 64 at a strike rate of 120.75.
Manish’s inning helped his side post a competitive total of 163. In response, the Mumbai-based side fell 42 runs short of the target. The right-handed batter was among the top ten run-scorers that season gathering 401 runs from 16 innings under his belt.
58* – Owais Shah vs Deccan Chargers, IPL 2010
Pakistan-born Owais Shah was KKR’s star on his debut as he slashed a quick 58 and stayed not out facing off Deccan Chargers. His inning at a strike rate of 126.08 is the third-highest score by a KKR debutant in IPL history. Owais’s innings comprising three fours and as many sixes aided his side amass 161 on the board.
As the KKR bowlers were in action later, the team managed to win the IPL 2010 opener by a bare margin of 11 runs. That season, the right-handed batter tallied 115 runs from five games with 58* remaining his best.
54 -Jacques Kallis vs CSK, IPL 2011
Jacques Kallis, a preeminent name in South African cricket, had a good start to his IPL campaign in 2011. Featuring KKR, he smashed a 42 ball 54 with the help of seven fours. However, his inning ended on a losing cause as contenders Chennai Super Kings managed to win by a bare margin of two runs.
The all-rounder was in red-hot form that season. Not only did he score 424 runs from 14 innings but also bagged seven wickets bowling in nine matches. He stays fourth on the list when it comes to highest-scoring debutants for KKR in IPL history.
54 – Phil Salt vs SRH, IPL 2024
The recent addition to the list is England’s Phil Salt. The 27-year-old wicketkeeping batter is making his debut for the Purple Force. Featuring in the team’s opening match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday, he scored 54 off 40 at an SR of 135.
His inning helped KKR amass 208, which was later defended by the bowlers successfully. The SRH attempted their best but fell short of five runs in reaching the target.
The KKR’s hopes are hooked with Phil to replicate this performance in the remainder of the tournament.
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