The Indian Premier League started in 2008 and since then its popularity has been on rise with each passing year. Many batters have played memorable and outstanding knocks in the IPL over the years but no cricket lover would ever forget the knock played by former Kiwi cricketer Brendon McCullum in the opening match of the IPL 2008.
Brendon McCullum played a fiery knock of 158 runs not out (73 balls, 10 fours & 13 sixes) for Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bangalore and something of the similar sort happened yesterday in the first match of the Women’s IPL.
History got scripted as the Women’s IPL started yesterday and the first match of the season was played between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants. Harmanpreet Kaur, the skipper of MI, made the moment memorable by playing a blistering knock of 65 runs (30 balls and 14 fours) and what made her knock more special was the fact that she smashed 7 fours in a row with which she equaled the record of Universe Boss Chris Gayle but the only difference is that Kaur has hit 7 fours in a row while Gayle hit 4 sixes and 3 fours consecutively.
Harmanpreet Kaur has played 22 balls to touch the fifty mark and as of now, she holds the record of the fastest fifty in the WIPL. The Internet was soon lit up with reactions and many drew comparisons between the knocks played by Harmanpreet Kaur and Brendon McCullum. Here are some selected reactions:
Harmanpreet Kaur is doing exactly what Brendon McCullum did during the inaugural #IPL in 2008.
This knock from her will create the same impact on the #WPL as it did for the IPL.#WPL2023 #TATAWPL— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 4, 2023
It was McCullum who lit the IPL in 2008 and it was Harmanpreet who lit up WPL in 2023. #WPL2023 #WPL2023
— Vibinraj (@vibin1021) March 4, 2023
What an innings by Harmanpreet Kaur – 65 in just 30 balls with 14 fours. Absolute crazy striking throughout her innings, a captain's hand by Kaur. Set the WPL inaugural match on fire!
Take a bow, Harman! pic.twitter.com/LgwakUPxpw
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 4, 2023
Class batting be the (Mumbai) Indian Captain, Not a single Six but a Boundary evey alternative ball (13 Boundaries in 26 Balls). Thats call Agression without risk. Captain giving perfect start to the tournament!! #WPL2023
— Mustafa Moudi (@Mustafamoudi) March 4, 2023
Harman reminded of Brendon Mccullum when he played a firey innigs in the inaugural IPL match by opening innings for KKR against RCB. A great start by our women’s in WIPL league
— Rakshit Shah – DUNKI (@rshah2611) March 4, 2023
Blockbuster MI batting. Brendon McCullum then, Harmanpreet Kaur now. Proper entertainment in the openers 🥶#TATAWPL
— Jaanvi🏏 (@that_shutterbug) March 4, 2023
WPL 1st Match. IPL 1st Match
Harmanpreet Brendon
Kaur McCullum pic.twitter.com/jvT9GdTKGZ— Lokesh Saini🚩 (@LokeshVirat18K) March 4, 2023
https://twitter.com/DerekAB2/status/1632044128052604932
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur madness! pic.twitter.com/lEiTXFlMaJ
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 4, 2023
Just liked how Harmanpreet hit 7 consecutive boundaries today, Gayle did it as well in 2011 against Prasanth Parameswaran of Kochi Tuskers Kerala.
Only difference is, Gayle hit 4 sixes & 3 fours in an over, while Harmanpreet hit 7 fours across two overs.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) March 4, 2023
As far as the match is concerned, Gujarat Giants won the toss and decided to bowl first in the opening match of the WIPL which was played at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. Though MI lost its opener Yastika Bhatia (1) quite early, Hayley Mathews (47 runs, 31 balls, 3 fours & 4 sixes) and Amelia Kerr (45 runs not out, 24balls, 6 fours, & 1 six) also played useful knocks and helped their team in posting a total of 207/5 runs.
In response, Gujarat Giants could score only 64 runs in 15.1 overs, its four batters couldn’t even open their account and 9 batters could not touch the double digit mark.
MI made a great start to the tournament by winning its first match by 143 runs and there is no denying the fact that Harmanpreet Kaur has made a strong statement in the first match itself and it will set the tone for the tournament as it proceeds.
