The Indian Premier League (IPL) needs no introduction. The IPL has an immense craze, not just in India but across the world.
So, everyone knows a thing or two about this exciting T20 league. However, there are a few facts that you may not have heard of before.
This article will list the 10 most interesting facts that occurred in IPL history.
10. Youngest Player in IPL
Prayas Ray Barman, hailing from Bengal, became the youngest player to feature in the IPL. He was just 16 years and 157 days old when he made his IPL debut for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (now Bengaluru) on March 31, 2019.
Unfortunately, the leg spinner had a disappointing outing as he conceded 56 runs in 4 overs without taking a wicket against Hyderabad.
9. Oldest Player in IPL
On the other spectrum of this lies another wrist spinner, Brad Hogg. When the Australian made his last appearance in the league, he was 45 years and 92 days old.
Hogg remains the only player to feature in the IPL after turning 45. Representing Kolkata Knight Riders, he played his last IPL match against Gujarat Lions on May 8, 2016.
8. First Ball, First Wicket
Adam Gilchrist was playing in the last IPL and T20 match of his career against Mumbai Indians in 2013. The match was in its last over, and Gilly decided to have fun.
Mumbai needed 51 runs in the last over and the keeper-batter came to bowl. This was the first and only time Gilchrist bowled in a T20 match. And he made the moment memorable by getting a wicket off his first-ever ball.
7. First Player to Bag INR 20+ Crore Deal in IPL Auction
Australia’s Pat Cummins became the first player in IPL auction history to have been sold for INR 20+ crore.
During the IPL 2024 auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad splurged a whopping INR 20.50 crore to acquire the services of Cummins. Later, the franchise made him their team’s captain.
6. Purple Cap in Consecutive Seasons
Bhuvneshwar Kumar became the first bowler to grab the coveted Purple Cap in back-to-back IPL seasons.
The Indian pacer first claimed the Purple Cap in 2016 by topping the wicket chart with 23 wickets. Bhuvi followed that up with 26 wickets in the 2017 season.
5. Fastest Ball in IPL
The Australian pacer Shaun Tait bowled the fastest-ever delivery in IPL history. Playing for Rajasthan Royals, Tait unleashed a 157.71 kmph delivery against Delhi Daredevils in the 2011 season.
4. Came as a Replacement, Established as Star
Everyone knows Chris Gayle had a remarkable career with RCB in the IPL. But few know that he came into the team as a replacement.
Yes, you read that right! RCB brought in the mighty Gayle as an injury replacement for bowler Dirk Nannes in 2011. And the Universe Boss repaid the faith by scoring 608 runs in 12 innings, bagging the Orange Cap.
3. A Hat-trick and a Century
Few players possess top-notch all-round abilities and can do wonders with both the bat and the ball. The IPL has seen 3 players — Rohit Sharma, Shane Watson, and Sunil Narine — achieve the double of taking a hat-trick and scoring a century.
2. Playing for Most IPL Teams
Aaron Finch holds the record for representing the most teams in IPL history. The Australian batter played for 9 IPL franchises between 2010 and 2022.
1. Only Player to Play for One IPL Team
Virat Kohli is the only player who has played for only one team in IPL history. The star Indian batter has only represented the Royal Challengers Bengaluru since 2008 to date.
